wasting

[ wey-sting ]

adjective

1. gradually reducing the fullness and strength of the body:

   a wasting disease.

2. laying waste; devastating; despoiling:

   the ravages of a wasting war.

noun

1. Geology. mass wasting.

wasting

/ ˈweɪstɪŋ /

adjective

1. prenominal reducing the vitality, strength, or robustness of the body

   a wasting disease

Derived Forms

• ˈwastingly, adverb

Other Words From

• wasting·ly adverb
• wasting·ness noun
• non·wasting adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wasting¹

1200–50; Middle English; waste, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Americans are so accustomed to the standard intersection that we rarely consider how dangerous it can be — as well as costly, time-wasting, and polluting.

From Freakonomics

The new study shows that a bloom of nutrient-loving bacteria can drain oxygen from the water, leading to sea-star wasting.

From Science News For Students

Pinpointing the likely cause of wasting could help experts better treat sick starfish, Hewson says, at least in the lab.

From Science News For Students

This results from one or a combination of factors, such as reduced function of the heart to enable movement or prolonged movement, less efficiency in muscles, fatigue or muscle wasting.

From Popular-Science

And, from the south, chronic wasting disease is poised to decimate the elk herds.

From The Daily Beast

Lynn Meekins, the managing editor, decided against wasting time and energy on extras.

From The Daily Beast

She was once quoted as saying that she wanted to help all women who “are not wasting life being a housekeeper.”

From The Daily Beast

Once you raised it, a massed army was wasting away, whether it fought or not, or whether it advanced, retreated, or stood still.

From The Daily Beast

Wasting no time, the two of them clambered onto the desk, pushing aside the flag of the Soviet Union that covered it.

From The Daily Beast

Why didn't he send a trooper to report at once instead of wasting time in going to Stony Crossing?

From Project Gutenberg

But there are few minds which can remain firm while immured for months in the wasting misery of a dungeon.

From Project Gutenberg

The tedious, dilatory time and money-wasting “come later on” procedure of times gone by no longer obtains.

From Project Gutenberg

He kept on pulling at one twig after another with his trunk, nibbling and wasting everything.

From Project Gutenberg

Lloyd has gone away alone, and three years have passed, and now he lies dying of a wasting disease.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blight
• corrosion
• decomposition
• degeneration
• deterioration
• disintegration
• disrepair
• extinction
• impairment
• rot