WASTEFULNESS Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

wastefulness

noun

as in generosity

the quality or fact of being free or wasteful in the expenditure of money considering he has a family, his wastefulness is downright irresponsible

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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 wastefulness Núñez, despite his occasional wastefulness in front of goal, was a very useful option in the position and brought great energy and dynamism to the team. — James Nalton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 She’s also previously called out wastefulness in the music industry specifically. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025 The humanitarian consequences of this wastefulness were well documented before last Wednesday. — Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 Gabriel also acknowledged lawmakers’ responsibility to oversee state spending seriously as well, and would be scrutinizing government programs for wastefulness. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026 The Bosnia captain got himself an assist, made a goal-line clearance, and was partly responsible for Cyle Larin’s 78th-minute equaliser, which ensured Canada’s wastefulness didn’t stop them from earning a first World Cup point. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wastefulness

Noun

But a wiser course might be to emphasize a kind of counter-nostalgia, reclaiming a mythic past for the forces of tolerance and democratic generosity.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Perhaps subsequent history shows that his generosity of spirit was misplaced.

— James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Definition of generosity

Noun

Shows of extravagance like these have not been met with kindness in a world torn by war, inflation, soaring gas prices and political unrest.

— Marc Malkin, Variety, 2 July 2026
Their biggest lottery-winner extravagance was hiring a private jet to Las Vegas to sit in the front row at an Eagles concert.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2026

Definition of extravagance

Noun

Taking the latter to another level is the new Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series, the first two-seater from the marque’s division devoted to automotive lavishness.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
There’s an understated lavishness; no celebrity interior designers have been let loose and rooms have a lustrous palette of pinks, yellows and blues.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026

Definition of lavishness

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wastefully

wastefulness

wasteland

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“Wastefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wastefulness. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of wastefulness

noun

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