wasteful
[weyst-fuh l]
- given to or characterized by useless consumption or expenditure: wasteful methods; a wasteful way of life.
- grossly extravagant; prodigal: a wasteful party.
- devastating or destructive: wasteful war.
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Origin of wasteful
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for wasteful
Contemporary Examples
Two-thirds agree that “government is usually inefficient and wasteful.”
Though with budget cuts now looming, Congress is trying to gut some of those benefits while wasteful programs go untouched.
The most interesting part of eccentricity may be just how wasteful it usually is.
If those 3s turn into 2's and 1's, then it will be clear that this whole program was a giant, wasteful mess.
In search of wasteful government spending, Eric Cantor sets his pants on fire.
Historical Examples
Wasteful, too, this cooking of food for two and only one to eat it.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
In fact, her mind had never been overwhelmed by a wasteful torrent of learning.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
The openings of the war were gloomy and wasteful, without glory.
Memoirs of Marguerite de Valois, CompleteMarguerite de Valois, Queen of Navarre
And of all means to regeneration Remorse is surely the most wasteful.
Howards EndE. M. Forster
From our standpoint they may have been wasteful methods, but they did get results.
Higher Education and Business StandardsWillard Eugene Hotchkiss
wasteful
- tending to waste or squander; extravagant
- causing waste, destruction, or devastation
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for wasteful
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper