as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly
profligate movie producers hoping to create the next blockbuster
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of profligate
John Hollinger, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Until recently, Swedes were among the most profligate flyers on the planet.
—Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 28 May 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
With the Phoenix payroll getting to the point where even the profligate Suns have to make some hard choices, moving on from Martin could be one of them.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Until recently, Swedes were among the most profligate flyers on the planet.
—Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 28 May 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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Tossing soap that’s only been used once seems wasteful.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Each car needs multiple parking spots throughout the day, fueling demand for wasteful surface lots that contribute to flooding and the heat island effect and make neighborhoods less walkable and bikeable.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Republicans should make liberals justify their own spendthrift ways, rather than playing defense.—
Erick Erickson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 July 2025
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In a salary-cap league, every dollar matters, and the league made sure of that by adding tax aprons and a punishing repeater tax to rein in the most spendthrift owners.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Noun
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Created by Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney, who also plays the character Mac), the Emmy-deserving series premiered 20 years ago on Aug. 4, 2005, introducing the world to a gang of morally bankrupt degenerates running the least successful bar in Philly, Paddy's Pub.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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Novak: The fact that this group of degenerates, these bloodsucking, mass-murdering vampires and wannabe vampires, [could be] so lovable is amazing.—
Michael Ordoña,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Noun
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He was raised on Chicago’s North Side by a wastrel father and a mother who struggled to put food on their table.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
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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
Noun
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What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
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Special-guest pervert Frank (Sam Rockwell) showcases a monologue about his autogynephilia.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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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Her dad used a rake, slowly attempting to pull the body out, but Johnson said the body snapped and disintegrated.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 July 2025
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Use a rake and shovel to clear leaves, sticks, and wood chips from your yard, and a leaf blower for any fine particles.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
Noun
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The biggest water waster, though, is cleaning during installation and use.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
13 Nov. 2014
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Who is a time waster and who is your next biggest client?—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Profligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profligate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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