PRODIGAL Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'prodigal' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prodigal are exuberant , lavish , lush , luxuriant , and profuse . While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources. // prodigal spending

Q: When might 'exuberant' be a better fit than 'prodigal'?

The words exuberant and prodigal can be used in similar contexts, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly. // an exuberant imagination

Q: When could 'lavish' be used to replace 'prodigal'?

The synonyms lavish and prodigal are sometimes interchangeable, but lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion. // a lavish party

Q: In what contexts can 'lush' take the place of 'prodigal'?

The meanings of lush and prodigal largely overlap; however, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance. // a lush green lawn

Q: When would 'luxuriant' be a good substitute for 'prodigal'?

In some situations, the words luxuriant and prodigal are roughly equivalent. However, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance. // a luxuriant beard

Q: When can 'profuse' be used instead of 'prodigal'?

Although the words profuse and prodigal have much in common, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint. // profuse apologies

prodigal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈprä-di-gəl

Definition of prodigal

as in wasteful

given to spending money freely or foolishly the prodigal child always spent her allowance the minute she got it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prodigal

2 of 2

noun

as in spendthrift

someone who spends money freely or foolishly the million-dollar lottery winner was such a prodigal that his windfall was exhausted after only a few years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word prodigal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prodigal are exuberant, lavish, lush, luxuriant, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When might exuberant be a better fit than prodigal?

The words exuberant and prodigal can be used in similar contexts, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

When could lavish be used to replace prodigal?

The synonyms lavish and prodigal are sometimes interchangeable, but lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

In what contexts can lush take the place of prodigal?

The meanings of lush and prodigal largely overlap; however, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When would luxuriant be a good substitute for prodigal?

In some situations, the words luxuriant and prodigal are roughly equivalent. However, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When can profuse be used instead of prodigal?

Although the words profuse and prodigal have much in common, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

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 prodigal

Adjective

Despite the very real tensions and ramifications of Harry’s decision to go public with his and Meghan’s experiences and criticisms, his prodigal son position is, and frankly, has always been, a boon for the Firm. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 There’s nothing more inspiring — and dangerous — than the prodigal son hired to fix his old team. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 4 Aug. 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 See All Example Sentences for prodigal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigal

Adjective

As costs kept climbing, many health economists were reluctant to probe the wasteful spending that accompanied the consolidation frenzy.

— Dana P. Goldman, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026
President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking a second term in January, has repeatedly defended his decision to scrap a years-long subsidy program in 2023 to avoid wasteful spending and invest in infrastructure development.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of wasteful

Noun

To be a valid spendthrift trust in Illinois, three factors must be met.

— 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

Definition of spendthrift

Noun

Only his father’s respectability, and perhaps his odd Motown accent, spared him from getting cussed out by bridesmaids at society weddings as a wastrel and drunkard, a shameless woman-wrapper.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of wastrel

Noun

On the other, evidence suggests this pair of habitual time-wasters were commonly found on the floor, running laughter through a Yamaha SPX90 effects processor for kicks and strumming the same note for 40-odd minutes.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
The form asks for the date and time of the watering, along with the waster’s address.

— Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 29 May 2026

Definition of waster

Noun

In an election defined by affordability concerns, a climate group is emerging as one of the biggest independent spenders in support of Democrats this year.

— Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Why is one of the rich world's biggest public spenders again on fire?

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of spender

Noun

As nouveau riche neighbor Yermolái (Lance Gardner) tries to impress upon the profligate Liubóv that her property is in arrears and about to be auctioned off, the rules and tone of their world still seem unsettled under the direction of Carey Perloff.

— Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
In some ways, the game was set up for him, with Villa profligate but still regularly creating chances.

— Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024

Definition of profligate

Browse Nearby Words

prodding

prodigal

prodigalities

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prodigal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigal. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prodigal

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

What did you just call me?

'Prodigy' vs. 'Protégé'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of prodigal

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to prodigal

What did you just call me?

'Prodigy' vs. 'Protégé'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes