as in extravagant
given to spending money freely or foolishly
my one wasteful child always seemed to run out of money by midweek
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wasteful
There are plenty of other water gobblers and wasteful usage practices around the house and outdoors.
—
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
In addition, making food at home will help to eliminate the wasteful packaging that takeout is wrapped in, Báez noted.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026
Since so much work has already been completed, architects have been tasked with designing the best and least wasteful way of using the infrastructure that's already built.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Requiring prior authorization for these procedures and devices could reduce wasteful spending and help patients by steering them away from unnecessary treatments.
—Grace MacKleby, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wasteful
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
In addition, making food at home will help to eliminate the wasteful packaging that takeout is wrapped in, Báez noted.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026
Since so much work has already been completed, architects have been tasked with designing the best and least wasteful way of using the infrastructure that's already built.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Requiring prior authorization for these procedures and devices could reduce wasteful spending and help patients by steering them away from unnecessary treatments.
—Grace MacKleby, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wasteful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasteful
Adjective
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For the 2026 reimagining, Fennell worked with costume designer Jacqueline Durran to create dozens of costumes (Cathy alone, played by Margot Robbie, had 50) that were heavily inspired by the extravagant, unselfconscious and campy outfits of the mid-century.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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One-upmanship, extravagant architectural plans, and a comparatively short construction schedule result in big bills, which are often not reflected in the original bids.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This season on the road, Newcastle have been particularly profligate in possession.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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The profligate spending of the Biden administration and the monetary mismanagement of the Federal Reserve caused both home prices and interest rates to skyrocket, a deadly one-two punch that knocked out the housing market.—
E.J. Antoni,
Mercury News,
28 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The most generous interpretation of the New Atheist view on this question is that people ought to have the freedom to decide for themselves.—
Christopher Beha,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
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There's little a generous spoonful of fresh field peas won't compliment.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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The new focus could be the path toward regaining some of the brand’s prodigal customers, who still see Tesla vehicles as mules for cutting-edge software.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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If that’s not enough, Knueppel snapped the previous rookie record of Charlotte’s prodigal son Steph Curry for most 20-point games while sinking at least 50% overall, 40 beyond the 3-point line and 90% from the free throw line.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The father faces 29 charges including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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The charges Colin Gray is facing 29 charges related to the shooting, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, five counts of reckless conduct and 20 counts of child cruelty.—
Jozsef Papp,
AJC.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Brooklyn got careless, committing nine turnovers in the quarter.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
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That will be the difference in the game unless Darnold is careless with the ball.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Speculation, particularly among liberal commentators, has started to swirl around possible retirement plans of Justice Samuel Alito.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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But most forms of higher education have seen at least a doubling of its liberal-to-conservative gap since the nineties.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wasteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wasteful. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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