as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly
profligate movie producers hoping to create the next blockbuster
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in spendthrift
someone who spends money freely or foolishly
a profligate who could not really afford the grand style he maintained at Monticello, Jefferson died deeply in debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in degenerate
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard
a drunken profligate, he was given to wretched excess in every aspect of his life
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of profligate
David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
Its only purpose is to raise money because the state cannot control its profligate spending.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Feb. 2025
New York Times, 5 Jan. 2022
Still, Republicans have slammed Democrats for profligate spending since retaking the majority, decrying the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief measure passed in March and the possible passage of the Build Back Better Act.
—Grace Segers, The New Republic, 15 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for profligate
Adjective
Put another way, in this view, well-off people who choose to live in profligate spending states shouldn’t get to deduct state and local taxes on their federal returns, saving large amounts of money ahead of each April 15.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
Its only purpose is to raise money because the state cannot control its profligate spending.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
After years of profligate spending, the city had dwindling tax revenues and huge budget deficits; was low on cash for operating expenses; and, unable to borrow more, faced horrendous personnel layoffs, service cuts and bond defaults.
—New York Times, 5 Jan. 2022
Still, Republicans have slammed Democrats for profligate spending since retaking the majority, decrying the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief measure passed in March and the possible passage of the Build Back Better Act.
—Grace Segers, The New Republic, 15 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for profligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profligate
Adjective
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Griffin has in the past criticized Trump, but said during the event that the administration’s efforts to crack down on immigration and to cut wasteful government spending were good things.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
23 Apr. 2025
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While this page supports fiscal responsibility and eliminating wasteful spending, the latest moves have an ulterior motive.—
Orlando Sentinel and Chicago Tribune editorial boards,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While small compared to what the RTA has spent on lobbying efforts, the spendthrifts at the CTA don’t put much confidence in how any of the agencies would spend dwindling amounts of Illinois tax dollars if lawmakers hold them back from the looming fiscal precipice.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
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Most states allow spendthrift trusts, but some limit the amount of principal that can be protected.—
Bob Carlson,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This 24-hour dive near Uptown is for true degenerates looking to extend the party to unholy hours.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2025
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At another point, a surface-to-air missile takes out a passenger airliner, something that really happened — but the attack is as purposeless here as the tragic original event, other than to remind us that Valet, who surveys the wreckage for valuables, is a degenerate.—
Boris Fishman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Ridley, traumatized by the cancer death of her mother and considered mostly a wastrel by those around her for pursuing a degree in the dread-inducing major of art history, knows a thing or two about the mythology behind these kindly rainbow-spewing creatures.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2025
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Henry Muck, suitably nicknamed Prince Hal by his family and friends, may be Industry’s version of the ultimate privileged wastrel.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
27 Aug. 2024
Noun
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Just when things are looking up — a haughty British couple leaves this daughter of Oxfordshire a handsome tip — the dinner pervert turns up for his morning coffee.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2025
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Outside the courthouse on Friday, Toner’s lawyer made a brief statement about his pervert client.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Secrets are revealed, prodigals return, intolerances surface and family bonds are tested.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
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The food today is extraordinarily good and prodigal.—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The smaller pockets lining the outside of the bags can hold all your gardening tools like trimmers, trowels and small rakes.—
Christopher Murray,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Gather Your Tools Heavy-duty leather gloves or rose gauntlets, sharp bypass pruners, a pair of loppers, a rake, and a bucket or wheelbarrow for debris will make speedy work of pruning Knock Out roses.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For example, default settings for focus time added blocking of sites in the categories Shopping, Tabloids, and Time wasters.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
13 Jan. 2025
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Photo: Brown Harris Stevens Above the bedroom is a double-height library, which turns the sloping ceiling behind a mansard roof into a design feature rather than a space waster.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
24 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Profligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profligate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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