WASTING Synonyms: 304 Similar and Opposite Words

wasting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of wasting

as in wasteful

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Dissimilar Words

wasting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of waste

as in spending

to use up carelessly he wasted his lottery winnings on booze-soaked nights with gold diggers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in destroying

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

as in weakening

to diminish the physical strength of endless months of inactivity wasted him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 wasting

Verb

The company then has to abandon the tool or build a custom system anyway, wasting much of the original work. — Komninos Chatzipapas, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Skeptics say such psychic profilers do more harm than good by wasting police resources and exploiting grieving families. — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 But the speedy predators have been unable to outrun a wasting disease that's killed billions of sea stars. — John Ryan, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026 Instead of tackling these problems with millions in available funds, the City halted repairs, wasting money and time to explore a move. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Both of these smart systems allow homeowners to ensure their lawns or gardens are hydrated without wasting water. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026 In recent years, an awful muscle-wasting disease — inclusion-body myositis — has robbed Krukow of his physical mobility. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 Wildfires can spread at incredible speeds, so emergency responders likely won’t be wasting time on signage, according to Montague. — Hali Smith august 5, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2026 Small habits like shopping with a list, using coupons and rewards, and wasting less food can help your grocery budget go further. — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasting

Adjective

According to last year’s audit, the school’s wasteful spending included roughly $2 million on employee trips to San Diego, $80,000 for travel to Maui and $2,600 for a trip to France.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
People-helping organizations that serve the most vulnerable in our communities don’t intend to be wasteful.

— Ryan Dewey Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of wasteful

Verb

Both teams then got along just fine after practice with several players from each team spending time together.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
That said, the Inn itself is so cocooning that many guests end up spending far more time on the property than originally planned.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of spending

Verb

The show was filmed across Northern Ireland, and the weather proved to be brutal, with the rain constantly destroying sets that had to be rebuilt.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
The Ukrainian defenders repelled the attack and posted video footage of their kamikaze drone strikes destroying at least seven T-72B3A tanks, including some that carried the Arena-M system, according to Euromaidan Press.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroying

Verb

Anderson said population and labor-force declines, along with the Bay Area’s high housing costs, are weakening both the supply of workers and demand for them in many traditional industries.

— George Avalos, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Rather than weakening the rule, the authors recommended strengthening it by passing the Roadless Area Conservation Act, which would turn the agency regulations into federal law.

— Dan Peck, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakening

Adjective

Just as life in industrial urban centers in the nineteenth century caused hardship in rural villages, the profligate lifestyles enjoyed by those of us in the Global North are underwritten by the immiseration of those in the Global South.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Avoid the impulse to label someone as cheap or profligate after one or two dates, AARP advises.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2026

Definition of profligate

Verb

Northeastern Poland was affected by the storm, too, with over 100,000 people losing power.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
After scoring the game’s first run in the top of the 10th, the Angels gave up two with two outs in the bottom of the inning, losing to the Texas Rangers, 2-1, on Friday night, once again wasting a scoreless start from Reid Detmers.

— Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of losing

Verb

Now, parts and service departments and finance and insurance packages are becoming more important sources of profit for car dealers, as profits from new vehicle sales show signs of softening.

— Robert Ferris, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
In addition to softening the shape, Zurek also explored new types of leathers and finishes.

— Talia Abbas, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026