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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
The causes of displacement are largely attributed to political conflict, corruption, violence and economic hardship, including widespread poverty.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Though the official inquest failed to determine whether Zac jumped to escape danger or to kill himself, The New Yorker’s Keefe winds up blaming the death on the corruption of London in recent decades by oligarchs, con men, and international criminals.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
21 Apr. 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
-
The galley starts directly next to the lounge with an available 90-L Isotherm door fridge/freezer and extends down the passenger sidewall with a countertop with inbuilt sin and available portable induction cooktop.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Apr. 2026
-
For Nikolas Indigo, the road to freedom was lined with warnings against a life of sin.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
And for Michael Kosta, who made the best argument for alternative energy this Earth Day, getting Ryan to riff on the evils of crypto was a true get.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This new game sends you on an epic quest to save your Spark companions and defeat the evil that’s threatening your friends.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Profligacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profligacy. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
