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
That is, defining success and failure criteria early, testing assumptions quickly and containing any downside before commitment becomes wasteful.
—
Kumar Rakesh Ranjan, The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2026
Flameless induction cooking ranges, waste management and composting, oil purifying machines—all part of a large attempt to make luxury a little less wasteful.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Some conservative politicians have pushed to defund NPR and PBS for reasons ranging from concerns of bias to wasteful spending.
—Corey Hutchins, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
City really should have scored after a couple of good turnovers high up the pitch in the early stages of the second half, but Antoine Semenyo was wasteful.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wasteful
Kumar Rakesh Ranjan, The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2026
Flameless induction cooking ranges, waste management and composting, oil purifying machines—all part of a large attempt to make luxury a little less wasteful.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Some conservative politicians have pushed to defund NPR and PBS for reasons ranging from concerns of bias to wasteful spending.
—Corey Hutchins, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
City really should have scored after a couple of good turnovers high up the pitch in the early stages of the second half, but Antoine Semenyo was wasteful.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wasteful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasteful
Adjective
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Perhaps the most extravagant feature is the primary suite’s three-story custom wardrobe.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
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The convertible, part of the company's new Coachbuild Collection, will be unabashedly costly and extravagant -- Rolls-Royce's CEO Chris Brownridge is coy about the price when asked -- and illustrates how the 120-year-old brand continues to reinvent itself.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Both sides had chances in a quieter second half but Brentford especially was profligate in front of goal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
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But profligate spending wasn’t the only way inflation weighed on bonds.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Our expert take The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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Add in a generous dose or worm castings and organic granular vegetable fertilizer.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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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
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If asset protection is a concern ― even just very basic asset protection for a spendthrift beneficiary ― this practice should cease.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Directed by Juan Pablo Arias Munoz, a prodigal daughter rejoins her family at their farm during a difficult time, as her ailing father faces both a terminal diagnosis and mounting pressure from rivals.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
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Author Ins Choi, who once played the role of the prodigal son, has matured into the part of Appa, the patriarch who left Korea with his wife, Umma (Esther Chung), to start a new life in Canada.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The protester who threw a garbage bin was arrested for reckless endangerment shortly after cops arrive, officials said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
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One of the reckless endangerment arrests was for a person who allegedly threw garbage at a vehicle that was unrelated to the ICE operation, according to the NYPD.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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Harden believed a number of his turnovers were careless.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
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Stewart’s successor, Mayor Bobby Sanchez, a Democrat, suspended Blogoslawski in February amid allegations of improprieties, including the careless handling of cash and the backdating of tax payments to avoid interest penalties.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The three liberal-leaning justices are not in attendance.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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By late October 2018, at age 25, she was being feted as the new ambassador for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and was mere weeks away from earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Arizona State University (having transferred from UNC Charlotte).—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wasteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wasteful. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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