1
as in to spend
to use up carelessly
squandered all her money gambling in casinos
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disperse
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
a single blast of the shotgun squandered the herd of deer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squander
In its campaign over the past year, the MAGA movement has squandered what might have been a reasonable position.
—
Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
The Kings had squandered talent, particularly in the 2023 offseason, before losing players in free agency and due to trade requests.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Last week, the wind-power green scam artists were back in federal court, arguing to be permitted to keep squandering billions more on those insane offshore windmills that produce next to no energy, but plenty of pollution.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
A day after squandering a three-goal lead in a 4-3 overtime loss at Washington, Aho made sure the Hurricanes didn’t blow a 2-0 lead against the Kings.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for squander
Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
The Kings had squandered talent, particularly in the 2023 offseason, before losing players in free agency and due to trade requests.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Last week, the wind-power green scam artists were back in federal court, arguing to be permitted to keep squandering billions more on those insane offshore windmills that produce next to no energy, but plenty of pollution.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
A day after squandering a three-goal lead in a 4-3 overtime loss at Washington, Aho made sure the Hurricanes didn’t blow a 2-0 lead against the Kings.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for squander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squander
Verb
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This has meant the show has spent more time with the very relatable Dunk and his precocious charge Egg.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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Grohl said the band spent months discussing their next steps before making the decision.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When the French Revolution turned nobility into a liability, its well-to-do citizens began to disperse themselves amongst the poor, traveling on the right to better avoid being targeted by the masses.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
26 Feb. 2026
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Products that heat or continuously disperse fragrance (including traditional plug-in air fresheners) may be the worst offenders.—
Allison Hatfield,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sage Hill appeared up to the task early but lost 86-54 after a blitz by Kaleena Smith and her up-tempo squad.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
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The competition to fill out the back end of the starting rotation has lost an entrant.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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John Cornyn wasted $70M spreading lies about me and still trails in all the polls.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Feb. 2026
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Cast-iron pipes rot away after decades of exposure to waste and grease, and clay tiles become brittle and break over time.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squander. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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