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
The most infamous being the 2016 Finals, when the Warriors squandered a 3-1 lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
The most recent occurred after suffering an overtime loss to the VCU Rams, after the Tar Heels squandered a 19-point lead.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Ultimately, Smith’s incredible effort was squandered.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
The Bruins won after both teams squandered one-goal leads in the third period.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
Less than a month ago, the Lakers squandered double-digit leads against the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic in down-to-the-wire defeats.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 19 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
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
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
The most recent occurred after suffering an overtime loss to the VCU Rams, after the Tar Heels squandered a 19-point lead.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Ultimately, Smith’s incredible effort was squandered.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
The Bruins won after both teams squandered one-goal leads in the third period.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
Less than a month ago, the Lakers squandered double-digit leads against the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic in down-to-the-wire defeats.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 19 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squandered
Verb
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The complaint says Heifler spent weeks discussing the plot with the undercover law enforcement official, and at one point went to scope out Kiswani's home.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Aaron spent long hours at his computer answering queries, fixing bugs, and releasing updates to serve his growing base.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When the munitions were fired, the crowd dispersed.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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The city allocated $51,000 for the program and will keep the application portal open until the money is dispersed.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The county gained 12,762 people from international migration and lost 6,978 people to domestic migration.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
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Some 1,270 counties lost residents in the year to July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau figures out Thursday.—
Augusta Saraiva,
Bloomberg,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last June, my family and I wasted nine miserable hours there as our flight was boarded and then delayed and then deboarded and then canceled.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
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In this case, your sweat is wasted and actually worsens the situation by failing to cool your body and contributing to dehydration.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squandered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squandered. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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