WASTEFUL Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

wasteful

adjective

ˈwāst-fəl

Definition of wasteful

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of wasteful The new rules aim to minimize the use of wasteful packaging as the economy transitions to become more circular. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 While many cyclists like to alternate between sipping water and energy gel, doing so can be an awkward, messy and wasteful process. — New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026 Take a look at who is spending tax money responsibly — on ballfields, water-quality projects, help for victims of crime, no-kill animal shelters and other popular priorities — and who is being wasteful. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 Republican response But conservatives said those policies inflated enrollment by attracting fraudulent and wasteful coverage. — Christine Mai-Duc, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wasteful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasteful

Adjective

Whereas Putin takes extravagant risks on the international stage but is loath to hold his associates accountable for incompetence, Xi is just the opposite.

— Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
Bob Mackie, the designer whose glittering, extravagant creations helped define the look of some of the 20th century’s biggest stars, has died at 87.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of extravagant

Adjective

Bournemouth were profligate, despite scoring through Marcus Tavernier and forcing a Malick Thiaw own goal, with multiple first-half chances wasted.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
This shift occasioned the profligate production that would mark her oeuvre, with Kusama going on to make hundreds of paintings in which forests of lines and dots cradled variously floral and phallic figures.

— News Desk, Artforum, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of profligate

Adjective

Our expert take The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card's generous rewards and benefits can help business owners save money on hotel expenses.

— Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Texas has emerged in recent years as one of the most aggressive states in the country in competing for corporate headquarters by offering generous economic development incentives.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of generous

Adjective

In many states, including Maryland, debtors may exempt substantial assets from bankruptcy, including retirement accounts, spendthrift trusts and substantial equity in real estate (unlimited in Texas).

— George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
The bottom line was that the Trust was not a spendthrift trust under Illinois law.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026

Definition of spendthrift

Adjective

Carried in on a throne held up by shirtless men, Bravo’s prodigal daughter takes the mic to speak to the crowd and reminisce on her ups and downs as an Atlanta Housewife.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Despite the very real tensions and ramifications of Harry’s decision to go public with his and Meghan’s experiences and criticisms, his prodigal son position is, and frankly, has always been, a boon for the Firm.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of prodigal

Adjective

The engineer abruptly resigned after refusing to contribute to a reckless corporate competition that could ultimately lead to uncontrollable AI.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
None were remotely reckless, and none prevented a promising attack, which are the usual triggers for cautions.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of reckless

Adjective

Attention is often the first casualty of careless communication.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
The losers would include the families of passengers who were uninsured, those of trespassers who were careless (or suicidal), and, equally tragically, those of unfortunate railway employees killed in the course of their employment.

— Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of careless

Adjective

In contrast, Nate Coulter, executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System, filed a lawsuit regarding Act 372 of 2023, the common-sense library law, in Fayetteville before liberal Judge Timothy Brooks.

— Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
Other liberal economists disdain labor share as a useful metric, or see it as a distraction from sober policy analysis.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026