WASTING Synonyms: 304 Similar and Opposite Words

wasting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of wasting

as in wasteful

Related Words

Relevance

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

It is often said that voting for an independent is wasting your vote. — Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026 For a time the sea stars did double duty controlling the urchins, but in recent years they have been struck down by an uncontrollable plague, worsened by the state’s warming waters, called, quite literally, sea star wasting disease. — Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026 Jacob Misiorowski was to start on regular four days' rest for the Brewers, who have a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after wasting a 12th-inning lead in a 4-3 loss Tuesday. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 Local officials have never been caught wasting money on this scale. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026 The challenge is integrating these capabilities into a defense that can quickly identify threats, select an appropriate response, and avoid wasting expensive interceptors on inexpensive drones. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 The city of Milwaukee waited 46 years to see its team in the Fall Classic, and this year's Brewers wanted to stop wasting time. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Instead of wasting your mums on a repeating cycle every year, plant them in the garden to overwinter. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026 Advertisement Buy portions that match your appetite Throwing away part of a chicken breast means wasting more than dinner. — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasting

Adjective

The chief executive of California’s High Speed Rail Authority abruptly resigned amid intensifying scrutiny over cost overruns, project delays and wasteful expenses.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
The goal is to save money, cut back on overconsumption and be more mindful of wasteful and unsustainable shopping habits.

— Margaret Cirino, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of wasteful

Verb

Nowhere, however, is spending on corruption ads greater—or the volume louder—than in the Texas Senate race, between the state attorney general, Ken Paxton, and the state representative James Talarico.

— Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
Still, they’re specifically limited to spending on education.

— Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of spending

Verb

After destroying much of Gaza and killing tens of thousands of Palestinians, Israel has regained military control of nearly 70 percent of the strip.

— Dalia Dassa Kaye, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026
But if firms lean on AI to cut lower-level work, the risk is destroying the very avenue of apprenticeship that produces future senior associates and managers.

— Tim Brackney, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of destroying

Verb

Electing more allies could give either camp an edge in shaping AI policy in the next Congress, even as the feud risks weakening Silicon Valley's clout.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Today, despite low unemployment and easing inflation, frustration over everyday expenses is weighing on voter’s perception of the economy — and weakening Lula’s support.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakening

Adjective

The combination of slow growth, high inflation, profligate spending, and soaring debt has stirred a revolt in financial markets.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Chicagoans expect Pritzker to defend us from profligate mayoral borrowing and spending, not add to it.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of profligate

Verb

Aside from briefly losing the seat for one term nearly a decade ago, Valadao has hung onto the seat.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
For this year’s show at Compton Verney, Cadogan has taken inspiration from British people who’ve written to her about losing beloved trees in their own gardens, or public spaces.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of losing

Verb

This shot nails the mural’s vibrant colors and crisp wood-grain details, but upon close inspection, there's some noise and softening on the edges.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide is a rich overnight cream that helps replenish dry skin while softening the look of crepiness, fine lines, and rough texture.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026