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Glite Dictionary
squandering

squandering

1 7.2
Using valuable things like time or money in a wasteful way
  • noun
  • /ˈskwɒndərɪŋ/
translation icon : derroche
  • Our deepest hope is that habitat destruction on the island will not result in a squandering of this remarkable wealth.
  • squandering of resources

Examples

  • The squandering of research equipment is taking on an eerie quality.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The result of all this was a squandering of agricultural resources.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The state military dominance has also resulted in the squandering of financial resources on military adventures.

    Academic text (2000)

  • For Pittsburgh's CTAU men, especially the clergy, the squandering of "hard-earned dollars" on drink was one of many signs of the new age's rampant materialism and moral decay.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The government's squandering of funds on unnecessary projects raised concerns among taxpayers.

  • Many families faced financial difficulties due to the squandering of their savings on luxury items.

  • The team's squandering of time during practice sessions led to poor performance in the championship.

Synonyms

misuse
vssquandering
45 3.4

Doing something wrong with money, objects, or power

focuses on lavish spending of resources rather than general improper use
extravagance
vssquandering
7 6.8

Spending a lot of money in a wasteful way

covers lavish spending of any resource not only money
profligacy
vssquandering
  • Formal
3 9.8

A very wasteful use of money or things that shows little care about cost

focuses on spending resources lavishly without implying pleasure motivation
wastefulness
vssquandering
1 4.6

Using money or things carelessly in a way that causes extra loss

focuses specifically on lavish spending rather than inefficient general use
prodigality
vssquandering
1 9.9

Spending a lot of money in a wasteful, careless way

is a single act of lavish waste rather than an ongoing habit
dissipation
vssquandering
1 7.7

Careless use of resources like time or money

refers to lavish spending of resources not general consumption of time or energy
spendthriftiness
vssquandering
9.2

A habit of wasting money by buying things you do not need

is about a one-time lavish act rather than a repeated habit
thriftlessness
vssquandering
9.9

A habit of spending money and not saving for the future

is an active deliberate act of lavish spending rather than a passive state

Antonyms

conservation
117 3.5

Protecting and carefully managing nature and natural resources

How Wasteful

squandermania
  • Literature
9.9
profligacy
  • Formal
3 9.8
squandering
1 7.2
dissipation
1 7.7
waste
469 1.2

Surface Forms

squandering singular
squanderings plural

Morphology

squandering = squander (transparent) = squander + ing

Formed from the verb 'squander' with the productive '-ing' nominalization/gerund, so the noun meaning (the act of wasting) is directly derived from the verb.

Etymology

Squandering comes from an old French word esquander that meant 'to scatter' or 'to waste', like when you scatter seeds and lose them. So, to squander is to waste time, money, or other resources by throwing them away carelessly.