as in wasteful
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1
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
2
as in destroying
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
one country attempting to waste another
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in weakening
to diminish the physical strength of
endless months of inactivity wasted him
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wasting
Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
For months, thousands have been detained there in inhumane conditions without meaningful due process–while wasting millions of taxpayer dollars.
—CBS News, 8 May 2026
Curious commenters also asked about using leftover grounds rather than wasting perfectly good coffee.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 May 2026
Instead of driving around, wasting gas, there are three apps that can help instead.
—Jeff A. Chamer
may 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
The city is wasting an enormous amount of city funds by trying to maintain the Housing First program, which involves nearly $1 million per unit of housing and a lifetime of dependency by the homeless individual.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026
With the cost of living rising, leaders should create relief instead of collecting money, then wasting it through their vast bureaucracy.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But the present bill falls short by not addressing energy-gobbling and water-wasting data centers.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Based on the substance of the filing, that risked wasting future court resources, Kaplan determined.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
This perspective suggests that while critics worry about wasting public funds on wealthy families, universal programs historically have maintained stronger political support, exemplified by the enduring nature of Social Security and Medicare.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
For months, thousands have been detained there in inhumane conditions without meaningful due process–while wasting millions of taxpayer dollars.
—CBS News, 8 May 2026
Curious commenters also asked about using leftover grounds rather than wasting perfectly good coffee.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 May 2026
Instead of driving around, wasting gas, there are three apps that can help instead.
—Jeff A. Chamer
may 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
The city is wasting an enormous amount of city funds by trying to maintain the Housing First program, which involves nearly $1 million per unit of housing and a lifetime of dependency by the homeless individual.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026
With the cost of living rising, leaders should create relief instead of collecting money, then wasting it through their vast bureaucracy.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But the present bill falls short by not addressing energy-gobbling and water-wasting data centers.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Based on the substance of the filing, that risked wasting future court resources, Kaplan determined.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasting
Adjective
-
Slash the bureaucracy in the California Department of Education, cut wasteful spending and direct those funds toward providing resources directly to both school districts and parents.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Charging documents allege 45-year-old Kelley Ann Haley used the club's debit cards for hundreds of unauthorized purchases and ATM withdrawals between 2019 and early 2025, spending the money on personal expenses, including travel, shopping, and utility bills.—
Caroline Foreback,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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That's unfathomably more than in the past election, when spending on the races totaled less than $1 million.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
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In the team's binary merger model, the compact object is close enough to its stellar companion to rip off its outer hydrogen layer without completely destroying the star.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
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The fires hit close to home, destroying both Pratt’s Pacific Palisades residence and his parents’ home.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
Verb
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No ‘victory image’ for Tehran Ruhe similarly argued that Israel wants to avoid any agreement that restores legitimacy to the Iranian regime without fundamentally weakening it.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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Forecasters say geomagnetic activity is gradually weakening, but lingering disturbances in Earth's magnetic field could still spark visible displays overnight, particularly in northern regions.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Hawai’i is in the final for the fourth time in the past six years, having won the 2021 and 2022 titles before losing to UCLA in the 2023 title match.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
Up next The Giants will look to snap a three-series losing streak before heading to Los Angeles for four games against the Dodgers.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Unchecked homelessness is ruining our cities and communities.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Most homeowners are surprised to learn the buzzing nuisance ruining their evenings probably started life just steps from the back door.—
Ryan Brennan
April 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Additionally, there was mention of softening or pricing pressures stemming from the conflict with Iran, which has driven oil prices higher.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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The moisture activates the surfactants and softening agents embedded in the sheet.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
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
Cite this Entry
“Wasting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wasting. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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