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

Once again, no one is here for the play-acting, the time-wasting, the cheating. — Stuart James, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Rather than simply reducing power use across the board, the system attempts to identify exactly when machinery is wasting energy and proposes operational changes that can reduce consumption without disrupting productivity. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026 Tailor The Experience To Your Audience One strategy is understanding the audience and their preferred user interface—developers do not appreciate wasting tokens or time on frills rather than the substance of their ask. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Willis, meanwhile, isn’t wasting anytime preparing to once again command center staged with the group that propelled him to international stardom. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026 China is not wasting any time in getting this plank of the plan off to a robust start, and that matters. — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 June 2026 Simply wrap your hair around the flexible rod, go to sleep, and wake up with a head full of curls without wasting time getting ready. — Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026 What if Larry were Deep Throat, wasting Bob Woodward’s time with random Pat Nixon gossip? — Judy Berman, Time, 24 June 2026 There are now five-second countdowns for goal kicks and throw-ins to stop time-wasting. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasting

Adjective

Perhaps because these gatherings require so much forethought, spending the entire evening in a single establishment feels wasteful.

— Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026
Air conditioning — long viewed as a wasteful luxury in northern European homes — is increasingly seen as a necessity.

— Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Definition of wasteful

Verb

For consumption, Temasek sees opportunities in spending on experiences over goods, and homegrown consumer brands that have proved innovation capabilities, over foreign brands.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 July 2026
But instead, Patel is walking free after spending two years living with his parents and participating in therapy.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of spending

Verb

Or tech companies forcing regular people to foot the electricity bills for their environment-destroying data centers!

— Rebekah Taussig, Time, 7 July 2026
Many older interceptor missiles use blast-fragmentation warheads, detonating near the incoming missile and destroying it with high-speed metal fragments.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026

Definition of destroying

Verb

The German lender notes a growing divergence between the nation's weakening fiscal position and its thriving corporate balance sheets.

— Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 9 July 2026
The effect results in the typical east-to-west trade winds weakening or even sometimes reversing, allowing warmer water from the western Pacific to move eastward.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of weakening

Verb

But the neighboring 171-feet Shelborne By Proper hotel says the new tower will cast a shadow over its pool, ruining the experience for guests at the luxury hotel.

— Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
Water had seeped in everywhere on that floor, ruining the carpet, as well as other items.

— Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Definition of ruining

Verb

The ingredient list includes avocado, which is rich in fats and helps boost flexibility—thereby helping to prevent breakage—as well as sweet almond oil and shea butter for moisturizing and softening.

— Eden Stuart, Glamour, 7 July 2026
In addition to softening and romanticizing looks, these bottoms are extremely comfortable.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 4 July 2026

Definition of softening

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“Wasting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wasting. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of wasting

adjective

verb

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