Definition of wastrelnext
as in spendthrift
someone who spends money freely or foolishly the black sheep of the family, he ended up being a wastrel and a drunkard

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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 wastrel Henry Muck, suitably nicknamed Prince Hal by his family and friends, may be Industry’s version of the ultimate privileged wastrel. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2024 The aforementioned wastrel friend, now a drug dealer, asks Mike to do him a favor: Deliver a briefcase of pot to a hotel room. Time, 11 Aug. 2023 The always-entertaining Bruce Turk steals all his scenes as Ranevskaya’s spoiled and wastrel brother, Leonid Gayev. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2023 Selby is a wastrel with a criminal past, yet his mother keeps providing him with soft places to fall. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for wastrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wastrel
Noun
  • These restrictions include spendthrift provisions in trust.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The split screen of Bezos and his spendthrift wife, Lauren Sánchez, frolicking everywhere — including Paris Fashion Week — while the tech mogul defiles the crown jewel nurtured by Ben Bradlee and Kay Graham is sickening.
    Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Twenty-six James Bond films (the 25 Eon joints, plus the prodigal Never Say Never Again) are coming to Netflix this month.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
  • Secrets are revealed, prodigals return, intolerances surface and family bonds are tested.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The state Department of Environmental Protection is responding and will assist in the safe disposal of waster materials generated during the cleanup Morrisey said.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Start with your biggest time waster and build from there.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Sephora’s core loyalty program, Beauty Insider and soon after VIB for the top spenders, launched in 2007.
    Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
  • Uber, a perennial, prolific political spender, seeks to kneecap a longtime foe, the Consumer Attorneys of California, through a measure that would limit the fees attorneys can collect in car crash cases.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wastrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wastrel. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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