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wastrels

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 wastrels Foster died destitute in 1864, after falling and injuring himself in the bathroom of a hotel on the Bowery, becoming perhaps the first of many famous wastrels in American popular music. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wastrels
  1. wasters
  2. spenders
  3. high rollers
Noun
  • Include categories for deep work, admin tasks, communication, and time wasters.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of wasters
Noun
  • Sunderland were, according to Transfermarkt, the division’s lowest spenders at £66million, but that lower turnover helped preserve the tactical identity implemented by head coach Regis Le Bris last season.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Independent groups spent millions more backing unsuccessful Republican candidates for governor Chris Carr and Brad Raffensperger, with interests ranging from Planned Parenthood to Georgia Realtors rounding out the top spenders.
    — David Wickert, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of spenders
Noun
  • The best buyers were Russian noblemen, high rollers who used the glossy fur to line the collars of their winter overcoats.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 July 2026
  • The kind of one-on-one coaching high rollers get at physical tables, in his telling, becomes available to anyone on the site.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Definition of high rollers

Browse Nearby Words

wastrel
wastrels
watch
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Cite this Entry

“Wastrels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wastrels. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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