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profligate

profligate

1 9.9
A person who spends money or wastes resources and shows little care about right and wrong
  • noun
  • /ˈprɒflɪɡɪt/
  • Formal
translation icon : derrochador
  • The self-preservation of the profligate is now opposed to an act of deception in which the life of the honorable man becomes the mere means to his survival.

Examples

  • I would say the greatest golfer in the world today were it not for that unfortunate incident last year when that profligate, Mr. Hagen, whupped you by 12 strokes on your very own course.

  • The profligate lies motionless on the bed of his last passion.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • I am also a a profligate eBay surfer and one of the things I'm always interested in is weird cases.

  • To live life like a profligate who understands they'd never let him starve.

    Blog text (15)
  • When they saw him pointing up at them and chuckling, the profligates were flattered.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded because they flatter the people in order to betray them.

    Blog text (12)
  • They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded because they flatter the people in order to betray them.

    Blog text (12)
  • The profligate spent all his savings on lavish parties and designer clothes.

  • She had no qualms about being profligate with her family's money, indulging in expensive vacations.

  • Many criticize the profligate for wasting resources that could have helped those in need.

Synonyms

blood
vsprofligate
  • Archaic
16 9.9

A rich man who enjoys parties and often behaves badly

focuses more on wasteful spending and lacking moral restraint
big spender
vsprofligate
15 4.2

A person who buys many expensive things to show off

is harsher, stressing reckless waste and lack of restraint
prodigal
vsprofligate
9 9.4

A person who spends money freely and carelessly

is more about reckless spending while also stressing moral lack
waster
vsprofligate
  • Offensive
6 7.2

A person who spends money or time carelessly on unimportant things

is narrower, stressing reckless spending and moral failings
rake
vsprofligate
  • Offensive
6 9.9

A man who behaves badly, often with drinking and many lovers

is concerned chiefly with reckless waste and moral looseness rather than vice
spendthrift
vsprofligate
1 8.4

Spending money in a careless, wasteful way

is similar but also highlights lack of moral restraint
spend-all
vsprofligate
  • Informal
9.4

A person who often buys things they do not need and runs out of money

is broader, adding moral laxness and waste beyond money
scattergood
vsprofligate
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who spends money quickly and carelessly

is alike yet emphasizes moral failure as well as waste
squanderer
vsprofligate
7.5

A person who spends money or time carelessly on things they do not need

is more focused on personal recklessness and moral looseness
overspender
vsprofligate
3.9

A person who spends more money than they should

is similar but adds a strong sense of moral irresponsibility
roué
vsprofligate
  • Offensive
9.9

A man who seeks pleasure and ignores moral rules in high society

centres more on reckless waste and excessive spending habits
rakehell
vsprofligate
  • Offensive
9.9

A man who lives a wild, careless life and has many lovers

is more about extravagant wasting of resources rather than only indulgence

Antonyms

23 1.4

A person who keeps money for the future instead of spending it

7 6.5

A person who keeps most of their money and refuses to spend it, even if they are rich

How Wasteful

profligate
  • Formal
1 9.9
prodigal
9 9.4
spender
34 2.1

Surface Forms

profligate singular
profligates plural

Etymology

Profligate (as a noun) comes from the same Latin parts pro- and fligare meaning 'to ruin', so a profligate is a person who 'ruins' their money by spending too much or wasting resources.