profligate

[ˈprɒflɪɡət]

profligate Definition

• 1. recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources
• 2. licentious; dissolute

Using profligate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "profligate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  He was profligate with his money and spent it all on luxuries.

• Example

  The company's profligate spending led to its downfall.

• Example

  She led a profligate lifestyle, partying every night and sleeping around.

• Example

  The government was criticized for its profligate use of public funds.

profligate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for profligate

• extravagant
• wasteful
• prodigal
• spendthrift
• immoderate

Antonyms for profligate

• frugal
• economical
• thrifty

Idioms Using profligate

• a profligate son

  a son who is wasteful, reckless, or dissolute

  Example

  He was worried that his profligate son would squander his inheritance.

• profligate habits

  habits characterized by wastefulness, extravagance, or recklessness

  Example

  His profligate habits included drinking, gambling, and womanizing.

• profligate ways

  ways characterized by wastefulness, extravagance, or recklessness

  Example

  She was known for her profligate ways, spending money on designer clothes, jewelry, and exotic vacations.

Phrases with profligate

• profligate behavior

  behavior characterized by wastefulness, extravagance, or recklessness

  Example

  His profligate behavior led to his financial ruin.

• profligate spending

  spending money recklessly or wastefully

  Example

  The profligate spending of the previous administration led to a huge budget deficit.

• profligate lifestyle

  a lifestyle characterized by excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures

  Example

  Her profligate lifestyle eventually caught up with her, and she died of a drug overdose.

Origins of profligate

from Latin 'profligatus', past participle of 'profligare', meaning 'overthrow, ruin'

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Summary: profligate in Brief

The term 'profligate' [ˈprɒflɪɡət] refers to someone or something that is recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources, or licentious and dissolute. It can be used to describe people, behaviors, or spending habits, as in 'She led a profligate lifestyle, partying every night and sleeping around.' 'Profligate' has formal synonyms like 'extravagant' and 'wasteful,' and informal ones like 'spendthrift' and 'prodigal.'