as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly
profligate movie producers hoping to create the next blockbuster
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in spendthrift
someone who spends money freely or foolishly
a profligate who could not really afford the grand style he maintained at Monticello, Jefferson died deeply in debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in degenerate
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard
a drunken profligate, he was given to wretched excess in every aspect of his life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of profligate
E.j. Antoni, Mercury News, 28 Nov. 2025
The emotion builds in the doc’s second half with the high-flying Haggard’s ambivalence about success, guilt over his wealth and shame over his past, not to mention his profligate ways, bankruptcy and five marriages, some much briefer than others.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022
Still, Republicans have slammed Democrats for profligate spending since retaking the majority, decrying the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief measure passed in March and the possible passage of the Build Back Better Act.
—Grace Segers, The New Republic, 15 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for profligate
Adjective
The profligate spending of the Biden administration and the monetary mismanagement of the Federal Reserve caused both home prices and interest rates to skyrocket, a deadly one-two punch that knocked out the housing market.
—E.j. Antoni, Mercury News, 28 Nov. 2025
The emotion builds in the doc’s second half with the high-flying Haggard’s ambivalence about success, guilt over his wealth and shame over his past, not to mention his profligate ways, bankruptcy and five marriages, some much briefer than others.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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, 14 Sep. 2022
Still, Republicans have slammed Democrats for profligate spending since retaking the majority, decrying the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief measure passed in March and the possible passage of the Build Back Better Act.
—Grace Segers, The New Republic, 15 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for profligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profligate
Adjective
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At the same time, a growing backlash has taken shape among conservatives in recent months, casting the programs as wasteful and vulnerable to abuse.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
-
But despite eons of evolution, plants are surprisingly wasteful.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The Legislative Analyst’s Office is out with a smashing revelation: the spendthrift state legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom have run up massive deficits that will force the next governor – Democrat, Republican or whatever billionaire Tom Steyer is today – to cut spending dramatically.—
Will Swaim,
Oc Register,
6 May 2026
-
These restrictions include spendthrift provisions in trust.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Especially compared to the degenerates and felons all around him in the Mets clubhouse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Apr. 2026
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The product exploded, generating trillions and minting a new class of crypto degenerates who were willing to take massive risks that, occasionally, resulted in millions.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Delery ruminates on her wastrel youth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
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He was raised on Chicago’s North Side by a wastrel father and a mother who struggled to put food on their table.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Nora Ephron for depressed perverts.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
-
You are being spied on by a pervert.—
Jay Ruttenberg,
New Yorker,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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Secrets are revealed, prodigals return, intolerances surface and family bonds are tested.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The protagonist of A Love Story is a lover boy, a libertine, a gossip, a flirt.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
4 Dec. 2025
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The libertines will begin the film in suits.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sephora’s core loyalty program, Beauty Insider and soon after VIB for the top spenders, launched in 2007.—
Jenny B. Fine,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
-
Uber, a perennial, prolific political spender, seeks to kneecap a longtime foe, the Consumer Attorneys of California, through a measure that would limit the fees attorneys can collect in car crash cases.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Profligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profligate. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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