1
as in spends
to use up carelessly
squandered all her money gambling in casinos
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disperses
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
a single blast of the shotgun squandered the herd of deer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squanders
Instead, the movie squanders Knight’s talent for delivery and hands him an awkward slapstick bit that feels like work just to watch.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025
Either the Broncos offense wakes up, or this team squanders all of the goodwill from beating the Eagles last week.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
But Team Blue ultimately squanders their lead, completely botching the puzzle as the other two tribes smoke theirs.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2025
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025
Either the Broncos offense wakes up, or this team squanders all of the goodwill from beating the Eagles last week.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
But Team Blue ultimately squanders their lead, completely botching the puzzle as the other two tribes smoke theirs.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squanders
Verb
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WalletHub estimates the average person spends about $200 on Valentine’s Day.—
Katey Psencik,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
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Even a stretch of sub-zero weather like one in late January and early February won’t harm the black-legged tick, the Lyme disease-carrying species that should be familiar to anyone who spends time outdoors in Rhode Island.—
Alex Kuffner,
The Providence Journal,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Reinbold said the Park Foundation holds taxpayer money and donations given to Freedom 250, almost like a bank, and disperses it at the request of the Park Service.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Its version is shaped by federalism, polarization, and a constitutional system that disperses authority.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While the interplay of these competing atmospheres can be compelling, the overall effect loses its power as the novelty wears off.—
Maxie Younger,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Someone loses their memory and that knowledge is lost.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Compared to many other countries, Texas wastes an extraordinary amount of water through outdated infrastructure, inefficient consumption, and lack of innovation.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Puffing also wastes fuel and risks damaging the engine if done repeatedly — another reason drivers shouldn’t make a habit out of it.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squanders. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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