squander

[ skwon-der ]

See synonyms for: squander squandered squandering squanderer on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to spend or use (money, time, etc.) extravagantly or wastefully (often followed by away).
to scatter.

noun

extravagant or wasteful expenditure.

Origin of squander

First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain

synonym study For squander

1. See spend.

Other words for squander

1	waste, dissipate, lavish

See synonyms for squander on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for squander

save

See antonyms for squander on Thesaurus.com

Other words from squander

squan·der·er, noun
squan·der·ing·ly, adverb
re·squan·der, verb (used with object)
un·squan·dered, adjective

Words Nearby squander

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use squander in a sentence

Fans, pundits, and even players themselves regularly squander the chance to discuss race in meaningful ways.
Ex-NFL Linebacker: We Talk Around Race, Not About It | Carl Banks | October 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Yet abandoning the push for equality now would squander a rare opportunity.
The Closeted Revolution: Kiev’s Gays Keep Quiet to Deny Putin a Propaganda Win | James Kirchick | April 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
“I watched the government squander a ridiculous amount of money on technology,” he says.
Even the Most Powerful Man in the World Is at the Mercy of the IT Guy | Jill Lawrence | March 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
We need to tell our politicians to not squander our heritage.
Honeywell CEO to Washington: Don’t Squander Our Heritage | Dave Cote | October 18, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
On the other hand, if we let fear carry the day, we will squander another key moment to move forward together.
Democrats Disagree on Fracking, and It's Starting to Show | Ilana Glazer | April 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

Arbitrary so far as doing the right thing as trustee went, not suffering me, or any one else, to squander a shilling.
Johnny Ludlow, Fourth Series | Mrs. Henry Wood
But a belligerent should not squander on diversions strength which might be employed in the main conflict.
The Political History of England - Vol. X. | William Hunt
Then he pointed to the beautifully worked manta, “Did she squander wealth of hers on that?”
The Treasure Trail | Marah Ellis Ryan
Time is a divine inheritance that no man has a right to squander.
Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel | Frank G. Allen
He is not content to squander his immense wealth in race-horses and champagne.
American Sketches | Charles Whibley

British Dictionary definitions for squander

squander

/ (ˈskwɒndə) /

verb(tr)

to spend wastefully or extravagantly; dissipate
an obsolete word for scatter

noun

rare extravagance or dissipation

Origin of squander

C16: of unknown origin

Derived forms of squander

squanderer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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