wasteful

[ weyst-fuhl ]

adjective

1. given to or characterized by useless consumption or expenditure:

   wasteful methods; a wasteful way of life.

2. grossly extravagant; prodigal:

   a wasteful party.

3. devastating or destructive:

   wasteful war.

wasteful

/ ˈweɪstfʊl /

adjective

1. tending to waste or squander; extravagant
2. causing waste, destruction, or devastation

Derived Forms

• ˈwastefully, adverb
• ˈwastefulness, noun

Other Words From

• wasteful·ly adverb
• wasteful·ness noun
• un·wasteful adjective
• un·wasteful·ly adverb
• un·wasteful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wasteful¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; waste, -ful

Example Sentences

The department was announced by Trump as a cost-cutting bureau focused on slashing "wasteful expenditures," with few details about how his administration intends to make the department an official government body.

From Salon

In another post, he added, “Anytime the public thinks we are cutting something important or not cutting something wasteful, just let us know!”

From Los Angeles Times

He said the initiative would help his administration "dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies".

From BBC

In a statement on social media, the US president-elect said Musk - along with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy - would "dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies".

From BBC

Announcing Mr Goldstone's appointment, Reeves said it was "vital that we are driving efficiency and reducing wasteful spending" and the role would "help us realise the benefits from every pound of public spending".

From BBC

Related Words

• careless
• destructive
• extravagant
• lavish
• profligate
• reckless