MISSPEND Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

misspend

verb

ˌmis-ˈspend

Definition of misspend

as in to spend

to use up carelessly warned that a childhood spent hanging around indoors was a misspent youth indeed

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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.

Recent Examples of misspend In Mississippi, federal investigators say roughly $77 million dollars in welfare funds were misspent during the state’s largest public welfare embezzlement scheme. — Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 3 Feb. 2026 Another is the surprising fact that no Florida law specifically prohibits public officials from misspending public funds on political advertising. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026 Visit our website Between 2016 and 2020, Mississippi organizations that received TANF funding to conduct things like workforce development and teen pregnancy prevention misspent or stole at least $77 million. — Bryce Covert, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2026 There are literally a million better ways to stop food waste than partnering with a family that has been convicted of felonies for misspending nonprofit money. — Emily Barnes, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misspend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misspend

Verb

Maurice Alexander, who had some impressive moments last summer and then spent the season on the practice squad, had three catches for 42 yards and a score.

— Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
The statues of Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion, spend the better part of a decade behind closed shutters.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of spend

Verb

For Margarita Wray, the possibility of losing her son has turned the criminal case into an intensely personal fight for justice.

— Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Shakira Austin had 29 points and eight rebounds and Sonia Citron added 17 points and eight assists for Washington (19-14), which has lost two straight following a seven-game winning streak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of lose

Browse Nearby Words

misspeaks

misspend

misspending

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“Misspend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misspend. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of misspend

verb

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