as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly
profligate movie producers hoping to create the next blockbuster
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in spendthrift
someone who spends money freely or foolishly
a profligate who could not really afford the grand style he maintained at Monticello, Jefferson died deeply in debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in degenerate
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard
a drunken profligate, he was given to wretched excess in every aspect of his life
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of profligate
Elias Burke, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
When the profligate first four years of socialist rule, from 1981-85, resulted in a rapidly deteriorating economy, Papandreou elevated Simitis to be finance minister and oversee a tight austerity program.
—Demetris Nellas, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025
New York Times, 5 Jan. 2022
Still, Republicans have slammed Democrats for profligate spending since retaking the majority, decrying the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief measure passed in March and the possible passage of the Build Back Better Act.
—Grace Segers, The New Republic, 15 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for profligate
Adjective
Arsenal were certainly profligate, with Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber all spurning fine opportunities.
—Elias Burke, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
When the profligate first four years of socialist rule, from 1981-85, resulted in a rapidly deteriorating economy, Papandreou elevated Simitis to be finance minister and oversee a tight austerity program.
—Demetris Nellas, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025
Noun
After years of profligate spending, the city had dwindling tax revenues and huge budget deficits; was low on cash for operating expenses; and, unable to borrow more, faced horrendous personnel layoffs, service cuts and bond defaults.
—New York Times, 5 Jan. 2022
Still, Republicans have slammed Democrats for profligate spending since retaking the majority, decrying the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief measure passed in March and the possible passage of the Build Back Better Act.
—Grace Segers, The New Republic, 15 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for profligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profligate
Adjective
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In fact, state housing finance agencies do this all the time for wasteful Low Income Housing Tax (LIHTC) apartment buildings which create no equity for residents at all.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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Trump has described the federal government as bloated and wasteful.—
Lucia Mutikani,
USA TODAY,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Bucs came through three spendthrift seasons with Tom Brady, winning Super Bowl 55 then trying to defend that title, which proved unsuccessful.—
Rick Stroud,
Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2025
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The week the time changes might be best focused on spendthrifts.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This 24-hour dive near Uptown is for true degenerates looking to extend the party to unholy hours.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2025
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At another point, a surface-to-air missile takes out a passenger airliner, something that really happened — but the attack is as purposeless here as the tragic original event, other than to remind us that Valet, who surveys the wreckage for valuables, is a degenerate.—
Boris Fishman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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Atay lingers on the outskirts, keeping the company of workers and wastrels, poets and drunks—all those who refuse the monumental transformations of Turkish society.—
Merve Emre,
The New Yorker,
8 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The days of pandering to perverts and woke PFCs are over.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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Another of the girls called Essex a pervert, which prompted their mother to ask more questions.—
Keri Blakinger,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Instead, all the adulation is directed toward Charlotte’s prodigal adopted son, the guy who holds more than his share of team records and is considered by many to be the best player in franchise history.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2025
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After all, there’s always one prodigal — one unstable element who’s removed themself as far as possible from the precarious family mixture.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Use a bow rake, with forged metal tines, to grade and smooth the terrain.—
Joshua Siskin,
Orange County Register,
15 Feb. 2025
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Aerodynamic rakes are metal fence-like structures covered in sensors that are typically positioned around the front axle or rear axle and diffuser.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For example, default settings for focus time added blocking of sites in the categories Shopping, Tabloids, and Time wasters.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
13 Jan. 2025
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Photo: Brown Harris Stevens Above the bedroom is a double-height library, which turns the sloping ceiling behind a mansard roof into a design feature rather than a space waster.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
24 Oct. 2024
Articles Related to profligate
Cite this Entry
“Profligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profligate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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