as in corruption
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society
a religious leader who railed against the profligacy of the nation's decadent aristocrats
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of profligacy
In part, that’s because our current profligacy amounts to the opposite of a growth policy.
—
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2026
The State of Illinois and City of Chicago’s finances have been in a continuous downward spiral because of their unbalanced budgets, spending, profligacy, and inability — especially from Chicago — to deal with the staggering unfunded pension liabilities.
—Joe Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Fiscal profligacy and political meddling in monetary policy are eroding the foundations of dollar dominance.
—Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
And while challenges persist, there are already signs that hidebound profligacy is being replaced by newfound autarky.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for profligacy
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2026
The State of Illinois and City of Chicago’s finances have been in a continuous downward spiral because of their unbalanced budgets, spending, profligacy, and inability — especially from Chicago — to deal with the staggering unfunded pension liabilities.
—Joe Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Fiscal profligacy and political meddling in monetary policy are eroding the foundations of dollar dominance.
—Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
And while challenges persist, there are already signs that hidebound profligacy is being replaced by newfound autarky.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for profligacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profligacy
Noun
-
In September 2024, López called on Fúnez to step down because of a corruption scandal.—
Marlon González,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Endemic corruption is one of the obstacles slowing Ukraine’s admission.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Following this tendency might finally cure us not only of indigestion but also the ancient immorality of eating other organisms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Consider this evilmeister’s brazen acts of treason and revenge, unbounded deceit, swinish immorality and negative role modeling.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Her chief lieutenants in this operation are Bronco (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Sid (Henry Cavill), who specialize in intimidation, surveillance, bribery, and other assorted sins.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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First-time filmmakers can usually be forgiven some of these sins, only most viewers might not realize that this is Luna’s fifth go in the director’s chair.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
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This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Why something with the punch of classical tragedy — love destroyed from within by an inexplicable streak of evil — had to be so over-egged is baffling.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
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East of Eden also features Cathy — 2026’s second evil-ish Cathy — who is played by Florence Pugh in the miniseries and has some of the novel’s best scenes and lines.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Profligacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profligacy. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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