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
The cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning − cutting off fins and discarding the still-living animals back into the sea − pushes shark populations towards the brink of extinction and jeopardizes marine ecosystems.
—
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025
Calendars overflow, silence feels wasteful and worth is measured in productivity.
—Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2025
What to know before Thanksgiving For years, researchers in various fields have tried to address the fall color purpose question, working under the assumption that Mother Nature rarely engages in wasteful processes.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Nov. 2025
The pop star was among the six women who went to space aboard billionaire Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket in April, a trip many commentators, including some fellow celebrities, criticized as gluttonous and wasteful.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wasteful
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025
Calendars overflow, silence feels wasteful and worth is measured in productivity.
—Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2025
What to know before Thanksgiving For years, researchers in various fields have tried to address the fall color purpose question, working under the assumption that Mother Nature rarely engages in wasteful processes.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Nov. 2025
The pop star was among the six women who went to space aboard billionaire Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket in April, a trip many commentators, including some fellow celebrities, criticized as gluttonous and wasteful.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wasteful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasteful
Adjective
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The boom in production costs has been blamed on high talent prices, stemming from extravagant spending by big streamers in recent years.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
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Not every Tesla investor was on board with the extravagant deal.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Of course, the same folks who said Trump’s tariffs would cause runaway inflation also said Biden’s profligate spending wouldn’t cause inflation.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
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Dembele, once a creative, two-footed but profligate winger who Luis Enrique coached into a prolific striker, has not started any of the five Club World Cup games.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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Despite widespread fatigue over tipping prompts, Americans still tend to be generous when dining out at restaurants.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Duvi was pleasantly surprised when their photographers not only issued a generous refund, but also stayed late and added extra services.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Thanks to money-hungry special interests and spendthrift leaders, Californians pay among the highest corporate, sales, gas and income taxes in the nation.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Throw in becoming the fastest player in NBA history to reach 100 career 3-pointers made, along with breaking the rookie record of Charlotte’s prodigal son Stephen Curry for most games with 20 or more while making at least 50% from the field, 40% beyond the arc and 90% from the free throw line.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Jan. 2026
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Twenty-six James Bond films (the 25 Eon joints, plus the prodigal Never Say Never Again) are coming to Netflix this month.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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His reckless decision to escalate the aggression and number of immigration agents is a causal factor, regardless of the outcome of an investigation into this tragic death.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Cowards habitually flee what is painful, while someone who acts bravely because of excessive confidence is simply reckless.—
Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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He was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and was later issued a summons for no insurance, careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident, officials said.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
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Jenkins’ fumble was due to careless ball-handling, although two members of his offensive line got bull-rushed, leading to the pressure.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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From the perspective of a world of increasingly unimaginable maldistribution of resources, cascading ecological collapse, a genocide cheered on by a putatively liberal order, both are barbarisms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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Rodriguez is running in the 21st Assembly District, which is also leans more liberal after the 2024 adoption of new electoral maps.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wasteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wasteful. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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