profligacy

noun

ˈprä-fli-gə-sē How to pronounce profligacy (audio)
Definition of profligacynext
as in corruption
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society a religious leader who railed against the profligacy of the nation's decadent aristocrats

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 profligacy California’s profligacy in state funding during the Newsom era has been made possible by its high tax rates, as evidenced by its 48th overall ranking in the 2025 Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index. — Jim Doti, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026 Should the Fed act imprudently, financial markets respond swiftly through rising yields or declining asset prices, mechanisms that serve as effective constraints on profligacy. — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 2 Feb. 2026 The State of Illinois and City of Chicago’s finances have been in a continuous downward spiral because of their unbalanced budgets, spending, profligacy, and inability — especially from Chicago — to deal with the staggering unfunded pension liabilities. — Joe Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026 Fiscal profligacy and political meddling in monetary policy are eroding the foundations of dollar dominance. — Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for profligacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profligacy
  1. corruption
  2. immorality
  3. sin
  4. sinfulness
  5. evil
Noun
  • Times when this line has fundamentally blurred, such as with Nixon and Watergate, have been some of the most notorious instances of overreach and corruption in our history.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Collins has been behind in numerous polls, and has been fighting a House ethics investigation and accusations of corruption and associations with white supremacists throughout his campaign.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • Since the middle of the twentieth century, societies around the globe have undergone a collective revolution in standards and attitudes towards obscenity and immorality.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Independents said the worst thing about Republicans was their loyalty to Trump (10%), perceptions of corruption and self-enrichment (8%), dishonesty, hypocrisy or immorality (7%), a lack of concern for ordinary people or cruelty (6%), and ineffective and weak or unqualified leadership (5%).
    — Emily Guskin, ABC News, 27 May 2026
Definition of immorality
Noun
  • In the final season, as the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • And when that dish is chicken, the sin here is serving a dry bird.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • But soon after, in Genesis 18, God tells Abraham of plans to investigate reports of sinfulness in Sodom and Gomorrah.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.
    — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of sinfulness
Noun
  • While Season 1 focused on the evil lurking underneath suburban comfort, Season 2 will have a different aesthetic.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • For instance, as a Christian, I am called to vote for doing justice, making peace, loving mercy, being humble, doing good and resisting evil and, most of all, loving my neighbor, whoever that is.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of evil

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profits
profligacy
profligate
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Cite this Entry

“Profligacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profligacy. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on profligacy

Nglish: Translation of profligacy for Spanish Speakers

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