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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prodigal
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Fast-forward to Spencer introducing his fists to a henchman's face, and his prodigal son arc is put on hold yet again.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
Instead, all the adulation is directed toward Charlotte’s prodigal adopted son, the guy who holds more than his share of team records and is considered by many to be the best player in franchise history.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prodigal
Adjective
While portrayed by the Trump administration as hardened criminals, the Venezuelans deported from the United States were welcomed back with open arms as prodigal sons and daughters — ironically, by the man in charge of the repressive apparatus that initially forced many of them to flee.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Fast-forward to Spencer introducing his fists to a henchman's face, and his prodigal son arc is put on hold yet again.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
Jérémie stays on as a guest of the baker’s widow (Catherine Frot), but her son (Jean-Baptiste Durand) resents the prodigal’s return.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
Instead, all the adulation is directed toward Charlotte’s prodigal adopted son, the guy who holds more than his share of team records and is considered by many to be the best player in franchise history.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prodigal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigal
Adjective
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Griffin has in the past criticized Trump, but said during the event that the administration’s efforts to crack down on immigration and to cut wasteful government spending were good things.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
23 Apr. 2025
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While this page supports fiscal responsibility and eliminating wasteful spending, the latest moves have an ulterior motive.—
Orlando Sentinel and Chicago Tribune editorial boards,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While small compared to what the RTA has spent on lobbying efforts, the spendthrifts at the CTA don’t put much confidence in how any of the agencies would spend dwindling amounts of Illinois tax dollars if lawmakers hold them back from the looming fiscal precipice.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
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Most states allow spendthrift trusts, but some limit the amount of principal that can be protected.—
Bob Carlson,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Ridley, traumatized by the cancer death of her mother and considered mostly a wastrel by those around her for pursuing a degree in the dread-inducing major of art history, knows a thing or two about the mythology behind these kindly rainbow-spewing creatures.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2025
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Henry Muck, suitably nicknamed Prince Hal by his family and friends, may be Industry’s version of the ultimate privileged wastrel.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
27 Aug. 2024
Noun
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For example, default settings for focus time added blocking of sites in the categories Shopping, Tabloids, and Time wasters.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
13 Jan. 2025
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Photo: Brown Harris Stevens Above the bedroom is a double-height library, which turns the sloping ceiling behind a mansard roof into a design feature rather than a space waster.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
24 Oct. 2024
Noun
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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
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The monarchy and the British government, which provides significant financial support for the institution, have long faced a careful balancing act: Both have worked to maintain the pomp and circumstance of the institution while avoiding looking profligate.—
WSJ,
WSJ,
14 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Prodigal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigal. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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