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
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
It would be accompanied by state audits into how spendthrift local governments overcharge for roads, school construction and parks.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2026
When measured by budget deficit – the gap between government spending and revenue – France is also among the most spendthrift in the European Union, according to Eurostat, the bloc’s statistics office.
—Ana Nicolaci Da Costa, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spendthrift
Adjective
That is all the more reason the state must get a better handle on its spendthrift ways.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
It would be accompanied by state audits into how spendthrift local governments overcharge for roads, school construction and parks.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
The split screen of Bezos and his spendthrift wife, Lauren Sánchez, frolicking everywhere — including Paris Fashion Week — while the tech mogul defiles the crown jewel nurtured by Ben Bradlee and Kay Graham is sickening.
—Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2026
When measured by budget deficit – the gap between government spending and revenue – France is also among the most spendthrift in the European Union, according to Eurostat, the bloc’s statistics office.
—Ana Nicolaci Da Costa, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spendthrift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spendthrift
Adjective
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This means that a small engine can handle immense power loads without generating wasteful heat.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
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The party must put Maryland priorities first, such as fixing the budget crisis, cutting wasteful spending and delivering real results for residents ahead of any national personality cult.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Delery ruminates on her wastrel youth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
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Fulton County was the highest spender in Georgia, followed by Peach County, Franklin County, and Chattahoochee County.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
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In 2025, the average payroll of MLB’s top five spenders was almost five times that of the bottom five, the widest gap the sport has recorded since at least 1985.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Twenty-six James Bond films (the 25 Eon joints, plus the prodigal Never Say Never Again) are coming to Netflix this month.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
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Secrets are revealed, prodigals return, intolerances surface and family bonds are tested.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The form asks for the date and time of the watering, along with the waster’s address.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
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The state Department of Environmental Protection is responding and will assist in the safe disposal of waster materials generated during the cleanup Morrisey said.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As nouveau riche neighbor Yermolái (Lance Gardner) tries to impress upon the profligate Liubóv that her property is in arrears and about to be auctioned off, the rules and tone of their world still seem unsettled under the direction of Carey Perloff.—
Theater Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
5 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Spendthrift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spendthrift. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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