1
as in spent
to use up carelessly
squandered all her money gambling in casinos
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dispersed
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 squandered
This wasn’t like Orlando or Phoenix – the back-to-back losses to help close February where the Lakers squandered double-digit leads and missed open looks for buzzer beaters.
—
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
The Magic squandered a 19-point lead in the second half, allowed Washington to score 42 points across the final 12 minutes of regulation and required late-game heroics from Jalen Suggs to escape at home against the Southeast Division opponent.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Many Angelenos believe the city’s leaders have squandered billions in funds meant to alleviate the homelessness crisis and allowed unhoused people to take over public space.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Though still fuming from his team’s baffling loss to the Bulls – the Warriors squandered an eight-point lead with 91 seconds remaining – Kerr found his composure long enough to crack a joke.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
In the year since then, FAU has become less safe, its reputation has suffered, and its resources have been squandered.
—Karen J. Leader, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Without question, the Longhorn men have squandered a comfortable spot in the NCAA Tournament and have made their path to the postseason much more difficult with a painful 88-85 overtime loss to ascending Oklahoma Saturday night.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 8 Mar. 2026
But, across the next seven frames, Team USA squandered so many chances to run-rule a Brazil team that featured only one player in its lineup with any major-league experience.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Had Hezbollah squandered the last of its political capital?
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
The Magic squandered a 19-point lead in the second half, allowed Washington to score 42 points across the final 12 minutes of regulation and required late-game heroics from Jalen Suggs to escape at home against the Southeast Division opponent.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Many Angelenos believe the city’s leaders have squandered billions in funds meant to alleviate the homelessness crisis and allowed unhoused people to take over public space.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Though still fuming from his team’s baffling loss to the Bulls – the Warriors squandered an eight-point lead with 91 seconds remaining – Kerr found his composure long enough to crack a joke.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
In the year since then, FAU has become less safe, its reputation has suffered, and its resources have been squandered.
—Karen J. Leader, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Without question, the Longhorn men have squandered a comfortable spot in the NCAA Tournament and have made their path to the postseason much more difficult with a painful 88-85 overtime loss to ascending Oklahoma Saturday night.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 8 Mar. 2026
But, across the next seven frames, Team USA squandered so many chances to run-rule a Brazil team that featured only one player in its lineup with any major-league experience.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Had Hezbollah squandered the last of its political capital?
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squandered
Verb
-
In Yunnan, Hyland spent much of her time around Dali, a once-small mountain town that has cycled through various incarnations through the years.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
-
For much of the season’s first three months, the 30-year-old Dane spent time flanking Sebastian Aho on the top line or teamed up with second-year forwards Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the school, Shaker Araqa lamented how his extended family has been dispersed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Hundreds of people were dispersed and two parents were arrested after an out-of-control Rancho Santa Fe house party spilled into the street Saturday night, sheriff’s officials said.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dallas lost in regulation for the first time in nearly two months, a 6-3 loss to Utah, two nights ago.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Adelson says Colorado has lost hundreds of breweries, wineries and distilleries over the last five years and the bill would cause more to close.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson finished with 20 points and six rebounds, but the Nuggets wasted his 5-for-6 night beyond the arc and Braun’s 26-point performance.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said Democrats wasted a chance to press Bondi and Blanche directly.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squandered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squandered. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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