squander

1 of 2

verb

squan·​der ˈskwän-dər How to pronounce squander (audio)
squandered; squandering ˈskwän-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce squander (audio)
Synonyms of squander

transitive verb

1
: to spend extravagantly or foolishly : dissipate, waste
squandered a fortune
2
: to cause to disperse : scatter
3
: to lose (something, such as an advantage or opportunity) through negligence or inaction
squanderer noun

squander

2 of 2

noun

: an act of squandering

Examples of squander in a Sentence

Verb He vowed not to squander this opportunity. squandered all her money gambling in casinos
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
And with the loss, the Dodgers (29-19) fell half a game back of the Padres (29-18), after squandering two separate opportunities with speedy Hyeseong Kim standing on third base with two out, and stranding men on first and second in the ninth. Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026 Former Horned Frog Sebastian Gorzny had a huge come-from-behind win over Chan, who squandered three match points, to win 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, That plus a win by freshman Kalin Ivanovski, who beat De Ravel 6-4, 1-6, 7-6, helped the Longhorns secure the win and move on to the national championship. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2026
Noun
Sunday saw the Sox squander a grand slam by Montgomery and a big lead. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026 Led by patriarch Eli Gemstone, the Gemstones build their ministry empire and squander much of the church’s money in the process. Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for squander

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1536, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1709, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squander was in 1536

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squander. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

squander

verb
squan·​der
ˈskwän-dər
squandered; squandering
-d(ə-)riŋ
: to spend foolishly or wastefully
squandered all her money on video games
squanderer
-dər-ər
noun

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