WASTING Synonyms: 304 Similar and Opposite Words

wasting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of wasting

as in wasteful

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

wasting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of waste

as in spending

to use up carelessly he wasted his lottery winnings on booze-soaked nights with gold diggers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in destroying

to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of one country attempting to waste another

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weakening

to diminish the physical strength of endless months of inactivity wasted him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 wasting

Verb

The company then has to abandon the tool or build a custom system anyway, wasting much of the original work. — Komninos Chatzipapas, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Skeptics say such psychic profilers do more harm than good by wasting police resources and exploiting grieving families. — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 But the speedy predators have been unable to outrun a wasting disease that's killed billions of sea stars. — John Ryan, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026 Instead of tackling these problems with millions in available funds, the City halted repairs, wasting money and time to explore a move. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Both of these smart systems allow homeowners to ensure their lawns or gardens are hydrated without wasting water. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026 In recent years, an awful muscle-wasting disease — inclusion-body myositis — has robbed Krukow of his physical mobility. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 Wildfires can spread at incredible speeds, so emergency responders likely won’t be wasting time on signage, according to Montague. — Hali Smith august 5, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2026 Small habits like shopping with a list, using coupons and rewards, and wasting less food can help your grocery budget go further. — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasting

Adjective

Our health care system is wasteful, costly and complicated and desperately needs reform.

— U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Many come in numerous pill packets, which some users feel is wasteful.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of wasteful

Verb

Both teams then got along just fine after practice with several players from each team spending time together.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
That said, the Inn itself is so cocooning that many guests end up spending far more time on the property than originally planned.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of spending

Verb

The show was filmed across Northern Ireland, and the weather proved to be brutal, with the rain constantly destroying sets that had to be rebuilt.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
The Ukrainian defenders repelled the attack and posted video footage of their kamikaze drone strikes destroying at least seven T-72B3A tanks, including some that carried the Arena-M system, according to Euromaidan Press.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroying

Verb

Sansoni’s study suggests that years of scrolling on Instagram can weaken our ability to rely on these inner signals, essentially weakening our brain’s ability to accurately perceive its own face and body.

— Nicole Karlis, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
The danger Pelath is concerned about is when the river banks are saturated, some root systems let go, sending more trees into the river and weakening the banks.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakening

Adjective

Just as life in industrial urban centers in the nineteenth century caused hardship in rural villages, the profligate lifestyles enjoyed by those of us in the Global North are underwritten by the immiseration of those in the Global South.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Avoid the impulse to label someone as cheap or profligate after one or two dates, AARP advises.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2026

Definition of profligate

Verb

Now, parts and service departments and finance and insurance packages are becoming more important sources of profit for car dealers, as profits from new vehicle sales show signs of softening.

— Robert Ferris, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
In addition to softening the shape, Zurek also explored new types of leathers and finishes.

— Talia Abbas, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of softening

Cite this Entry

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“Wasting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wasting. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of wasting

adjective

verb

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