1
as in luxuries
an instance of spending money or resources without care or restraint
it seems like a waste to spend my entire paycheck on a bigger TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deserts
land that is uninhabited or not fit for crops
an area that was a barren waste after the strip-mining had ended
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in expanses
a wide space or area
a legendary mariner doomed to sail the watery wastes of the world until Judgment Day
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in erosions
a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction
the slow waste of the once broad beach by the relentless tide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in spends
to use up carelessly
he wasted his lottery winnings on booze-soaked nights with gold diggers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in destroys
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
one country attempting to waste another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in weakens
to diminish the physical strength of
endless months of inactivity wasted him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wastes
John P. O’Brien, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
What never stops, though, is the eternal leak of CO2 from the necks of volcanoes poking above the frozen wastes.
—Peter Brannen
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
In addition to the impending shipments of elevated radioactivity wastes from New York, Wayne Disposal, off I-94 near the Willow Run Airport in Wayne County's Van Buren Township, was receiving elevated-radioactivity wastes from another FUSRAP site, a long-shuttered beryllium plant in Luckey, Ohio.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Messy data wrecks forecasts, distorts reporting and wastes time.
—Thasha Batts, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
This reveals how enthusiasm without integration discipline wastes time and capital.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
The fact that any remaining mutual admiration is fueled by mutual animosity is thus introduced right up front, and the movie wastes zero time setting out the rules of engagement for what will soon become take-no-prisoners warfare between the Roses.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
This approach also wastes public resources by paying groups to throw away people’s belongings instead of investing that money into actual housing solutions, like creating more affordable housing options.
—Stephen Przybylinski, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2025
That’ll have a much greater ROI for Californians than much of what Sacramento wastes our money on.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
At odds with California’s climate goal of achieving zero-net carbon pollution, logging and milling wastes promptly release half a tree’s carbon into the atmosphere.
—John P. O’Brien, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
What never stops, though, is the eternal leak of CO2 from the necks of volcanoes poking above the frozen wastes.
—Peter Brannen
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
In addition to the impending shipments of elevated radioactivity wastes from New York, Wayne Disposal, off I-94 near the Willow Run Airport in Wayne County's Van Buren Township, was receiving elevated-radioactivity wastes from another FUSRAP site, a long-shuttered beryllium plant in Luckey, Ohio.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
Several in attendance Monday took the opportunity to address the crowd, arguing that canceling active missions wastes taxpayer dollars already spent and undermines relationships with international partners who have invested their own time and resources in such projects.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Messy data wrecks forecasts, distorts reporting and wastes time.
—Thasha Batts, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
This reveals how enthusiasm without integration discipline wastes time and capital.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
The fact that any remaining mutual admiration is fueled by mutual animosity is thus introduced right up front, and the movie wastes zero time setting out the rules of engagement for what will soon become take-no-prisoners warfare between the Roses.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
This approach also wastes public resources by paying groups to throw away people’s belongings instead of investing that money into actual housing solutions, like creating more affordable housing options.
—Stephen Przybylinski, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2025
That’ll have a much greater ROI for Californians than much of what Sacramento wastes our money on.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wastes
Noun
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From there, the Cadillac Escalade IQL adds layers of luxuries that Cadillac buyers are used to, from a rear seat entertainment system with wireless AKG headphones to powered seats, a spacious third row and retractable running boards to assist every passenger climbing into the cabin.—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Spending grew faster than incomes, eating into savings, and much of it came from necessities rather than luxuries.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The storms will be widespread — affecting the coastal regions, deserts and mountains — pushing first from Mexico into San Diego County before hitting Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, said National Weather Service meteorologist Lauren Villafane.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
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In the decades since, satellites have surveyed the world’s forests, oceans, deserts and ice.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The team calculates that, based on its distance from the star, TRAPPIST-1e might also be a relatively cool world, conceivably with liquid-water oceans or frozen expanses of ice on its surface.—
Jonathan O'Callaghan,
Scientific American,
8 Sep. 2025
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Backcountry exploration When people seek a break from the pace of modern life and the demands of being digitally connected, national parks contain expanses of backcountry, where signs of civilization are sparse, and where profound natural beauty, adventure and solitude are still available.—
Jeffrey C. Hallo,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rivals Fox News Channel and CNN are seen experiencing similar erosions in that period.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Erosive gastritis develops when inflammation damages the stomach lining, leading to ulcers (open sores) and shallow breaks (erosions).—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
22 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
North Carolina spends less on mental health and offers less access to care than most states — a gap highlighted after a woman was fatally stabbed on Charlotte’s Blue Line by a man with an alleged history of mental illness.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
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About 1 in 3 renters in the Los Angeles metro area spends 50% or more of their post-tax household income on rent.—
Stan Oklobdzija,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Producing traditional paper destroys trees and is resource-intensive, requiring up to 13 liters of water for every page made.—
Sandy Ong,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Sep. 2025
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In those situations, the team typically takes the potentially explosive item to a remote area and destroys it, just to be safe, Putthoff said.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Any delay in release weakens hatchlings and affects their survival rates.—
M. Rajshekhar,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Beyond 100 people, culture often fragments, communication distorts and the founder’s vision weakens.—
Jonathan Low,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Even in economic uncertainty, people appreciate little extravagances; something extra that shows businesses still value them.—
Dan Gingiss,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wastes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wastes. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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