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

Other Word Forms

• wastingly adverb
• wastingness noun
• nonwasting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wasting¹

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

Example Sentences

Everton have played on the front foot in wins against Brighton and Wolves this season, while they were unfortunate to draw with Aston Villa last weekend after wasting a host of golden chances.

From BBC

They can stop wasting their time taking photos thinking they are going to make big news.

From BBC

Undernutrition - which can manifest itself as wasting and stunting - remains a significant problem in the under-fives in many low and middle income countries.

From BBC

It is one of many thousands of full-scale models of military equipment used by both Ukraine and Russia to trick the enemy into wasting valuable ammunition, time and effort.

From BBC

These kids come out of underprivileged, inner-city areas, and I’m just wasting my time if I haven’t put something of substance into their lives.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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