as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly
spendthrift consumers had amassed a mountain of debt on their credit cards
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wastrel
someone who carelessly spends money
the spendthrift managed to blow all of his inheritance in a single year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spendthrift
Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2024
Those could have been used to constrain distributions to or for the benefit of the spendthrift child.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Most states allow spendthrift trusts, but some limit the amount of principal that can be protected.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spendthrift
Adjective
Galle’s father worked for Marie Antoinette, but the French Revolution unsurprisingly had a major impact on the aristocratic market for spendthrift furnishings like this.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2024
Those could have been used to constrain distributions to or for the benefit of the spendthrift child.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Noun
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
Most states allow spendthrift trusts, but some limit the amount of principal that can be protected.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spendthrift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spendthrift
Adjective
-
Critics of the proposal, such as Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, have characterized film incentives as wasteful government spending, calling instead for the money to be used for property tax cuts.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Regular spectators and celebrities criticized the flight, calling it wasteful and excessive.—
Daysia Tolentino,
EW.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Secrets are revealed, prodigals return, intolerances surface and family bonds are tested.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The food today is extraordinarily good and prodigal.—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The biggest water waster, though, is cleaning during installation and use.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
13 Nov. 2014
-
Who is a time waster and who is your next biggest client?—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
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In some ways, the game was set up for him, with Villa profligate but still regularly creating chances.—
Jacob Tanswell,
The Athletic,
18 Aug. 2024
-
The monarchy and the British government, which provides significant financial support for the institution, have long faced a careful balancing act: Both have worked to maintain the pomp and circumstance of the institution while avoiding looking profligate.—
WSJ,
WSJ,
14 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Spendthrift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spendthrift. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.
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