1
as in to spend
to use up carelessly
squandered all her money gambling in casinos
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disperse
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
a single blast of the shotgun squandered the herd of deer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squander
In the series opener, New York squandered a 14-point lead with under three minutes remaining.
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Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Early last season, the Browns’ offense was so bad that a couple of really strong defensive efforts were squandered in close early-season losses.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 20 May 2025
The big seventh squandered a solid outing from Tyler Davis, who went 5 2/3 innings before hitting his pitch count for ACC (14-12, 5-6).
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
The series has so much escapist potential in its initial episodes, poking at the absurdities of abundant wealth and ladling in so much silly foreboding, only to squander it because the series is unable to create anything resembling an emotional payoff.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for squander
Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Early last season, the Browns’ offense was so bad that a couple of really strong defensive efforts were squandered in close early-season losses.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 20 May 2025
The big seventh squandered a solid outing from Tyler Davis, who went 5 2/3 innings before hitting his pitch count for ACC (14-12, 5-6).
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
The series has so much escapist potential in its initial episodes, poking at the absurdities of abundant wealth and ladling in so much silly foreboding, only to squander it because the series is unable to create anything resembling an emotional payoff.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for squander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squander
Verb
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The actor-writer-director, who is 31 and uses they/she pronouns, has spent the last decade or so as a niche internet presence, going viral periodically on Twitter (and then X) and TikTok with satirical front-facing videos and bone-dry one-liners.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Rolling Stone,
6 June 2025
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After spending close to $300 million to return Trump to the White House, Musk was poised to have a major role in the administration and be in position to push through regulatory changes in ways that benefited his companies.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Scientists are still searching for answers about how Y. pestis evolved and dispersed, but recent analysis of ancient and modern Y. pestis samples revealed how plague managed to persist among humans for hundreds of years after pandemic waves petered out.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
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Impact grants now allow up to $20,000 to be dispersed per business.—
Erin Yarnall,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
Verb
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But the friend soon lost interest in geography, and Lilian was less enamored of the girl’s collection of mechanical pencils and scented erasers imported from Japan.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
15 June 2025
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The Ansar Allah source with whom Newsweek spoke to declined to discuss the details of the strike but affirmed that the group was prepared to move forward with its missile and drone campaign against Israel even in the case of losing high-level leaders.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Verb
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Miami wasted another opportunity to cut into the Cardinals’ lead in the seventh, stranding another pair of runners on base after striking and grounding out with one out.—
Cameron Priester,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
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In a one-scene cameo, Kyle MacLachlan represents the tough-love alternative as Kate’s exasperated ex-husband, who’s ready to throw in the towel, but agrees to write one last check — well aware his daughter will find some way to waste it.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squander. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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