as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly
the nightclub's ridiculous prices seem geared to squandering revelers with more money than sense
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wastefulness
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in spending
to use up carelessly
squandered all her money gambling in casinos
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dispersing
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
a single blast of the shotgun squandered the herd of deer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squandering
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Kiké Hernández followed with a flyout to complete the squandering.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Max Bultman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
In recent weeks, the Lakers had become accustomed to squandering double-digit leads or struggling to spark runs when trailing.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 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
But McCurdy’s furious writing—her dystopian rendering of a culture squandering its dreams and desires on the crack high of cheap stuff—is hard to tear yourself away from.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
In the year before Spagnuolo arrived in Kansas City, the Chiefs defense ranked 24th in points allowed, squandering an MVP year from Patrick Mahomes.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Indeed, squandering fourth-quarter advantages become a troubling trend for the Ravens in Harbaugh’s last few seasons, and after a hamstring injury sidelined Jackson, Baltimore stumbled to a 1-5 start in 2025.
—Noah Trister, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Indeed, squandering significant advantages became a troubling trend in Harbaugh’s last few seasons.
—Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
This is the sort of managerial aimlessness the Post is being governed by, just one example of the missteps and squandering of opportunity framed as strategy.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Kiké Hernández followed with a flyout to complete the squandering.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
But even after squandering the lead in a 4-3 overtime loss Wednesday, that remains the reality with less than 48 hours remaining to the deadline.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
In recent weeks, the Lakers had become accustomed to squandering double-digit leads or struggling to spark runs when trailing.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 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
But McCurdy’s furious writing—her dystopian rendering of a culture squandering its dreams and desires on the crack high of cheap stuff—is hard to tear yourself away from.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
In the year before Spagnuolo arrived in Kansas City, the Chiefs defense ranked 24th in points allowed, squandering an MVP year from Patrick Mahomes.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Indeed, squandering fourth-quarter advantages become a troubling trend for the Ravens in Harbaugh’s last few seasons, and after a hamstring injury sidelined Jackson, Baltimore stumbled to a 1-5 start in 2025.
—Noah Trister, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Indeed, squandering significant advantages became a troubling trend in Harbaugh’s last few seasons.
—Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squandering
Adjective
-
Is the packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Tinderholt’s goals as commissioner include lower property taxes, fully funded law enforcement, eliminating wasteful spending, economic growth and election integrity, per his website.—
Rachel Royster
Updated March 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gabriel also acknowledged lawmakers’ responsibility to oversee state spending seriously as well, and would be scrutinizing government programs for wastefulness.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
While an eight-game winning run saw Cherki, Foden and Haaland hit their devastating best, three frustrating draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion were characterised by wastefulness in front of goal.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Massive billionaire funding in the race from artificial intelligence interests operated largely outside public awareness, with super PACs spending enormous sums while deliberately avoiding transparency about their true policy priorities, particularly regarding AI regulation[1].—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Bank of America data also shows spending growth on fitness activities, such as gyms and golf, is much stronger for Millennials, and especially Gen Zers.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of dispersing, the crowd pelted officers with snowballs, ice and, according to police union reports, rocks.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Meat becomes tender through gentle steaming, vegetables soften while holding their shape, and spices integrate directly into the ingredients rather than dispersing into a broth.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
California’s profligacy in state funding during the Newsom era has been made possible by its high tax rates, as evidenced by its 48th overall ranking in the 2025 Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index.—
Jim Doti,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The profligacy, for sure, with Everton contriving to surrender a 1-0 lead in the space of eight remarkable second-half minutes in which defender Jake O’Brien was also sent off.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Remember the Wolverines started the Southern Section Open Division playoffs last month as an afterthought after losing three of the last four regular-season games.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The aluminum build is lightweight, sturdy, and handles heat dissipation well, and the 240Hz WQXGA display is bright and colorful, with crisp resolution and good contrast.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
6 Mar. 2026
-
These atomic motions define heat dissipation, chemical reactions and material properties.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
UConn has nothing left to prove, so Auriemma sees no value in wasting energy worrying about where his team is going to land when the bracket goes live on Selection Sunday.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Then came the outbreak of a wasting illness called stony coral tissue loss disease - which spread from the area near the Port of Miami around the time of its 2014 dredging project - and a record heat wave in 2023.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squandering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squandering. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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