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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 But for best results, try to avoid overdosing, which is not only wasteful but also counterproductive. — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026 Water Cost Not only are broadcast sprinklers wasteful, but excess water can be expensive. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 5 July 2026 The flights were one of six areas the audit identified as wasteful use of taxpayer dollars. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 The administration defends its actions, including massive layoffs at government health agencies, as necessary to eliminate wasteful spending. — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wasteful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasteful

Adjective

The newlyweds, both 36, tied the knot in an extravagant ceremony at the iconic venue July 3, which took over the streets of Manhattan and required the New York Police to shut down the immediate vicinity.

— Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 10 July 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has revealed how much Taylor Swift paid the city for her and Travis Kelce‘s extravagant Madison Square Garden wedding.

— Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 10 July 2026

Definition of extravagant

Adjective

For the first time since at least 1974, new homes are selling for less than existing ones, and the culprit is a mix of builders getting generous and sellers refusing to budge.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Each bite felt grounded, familiar, and generous, the kind of food that matches a courtyard full of old walls and low conversation.

— Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 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

An alleged reckless, DUI driver crashed into a Metro bus while leading Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies on a pursuit through Compton on Monday afternoon.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Whether a challenge was reckless or unlucky, whether force was proportionate, whether intent should count at all — no additional data resolves these questions.

— Oded Netzer, Fortune, 13 July 2026