squander

1 of 2

verb

squan·​der ˈskwän-dər How to pronounce squander (audio)
squandered; squandering ˈskwän-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce squander (audio)
Synonyms of squandernext

transitive verb

1
: to spend extravagantly or foolishly : dissipate, waste
squandered a fortune
2
: to cause to disperse : scatter
3
: to lose (something, such as an advantage or opportunity) through negligence or inaction

intransitive verb

: disperse, scatter
squanderer
ˈskwän-dər-ər How to pronounce squander (audio)
noun

squander

2 of 2

noun

: an act of squandering

Synonyms

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of squander in a Sentence

Verb He vowed not to squander this opportunity. squandered all her money gambling in casinos
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The Longhorns finished with a 19-16 record this season — including 6-12 in the Southeastern Conference — after squandering a 10-point second-half lead in an 86-80 setback to Miller’s Xavier squad in the First Four on Wednesday. — Staff and Wire Reports, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025 And, as has been commonplace during the skid, another sizable fourth-quarter lead was squandered, up eight early in the final period. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
This deceptive practice not only squanders job seekers' time and energy, but may also negatively impact their confidence and mental well-being. — Jack Kelly, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 Veterans Jamison Crowder and Byron Pringle, second-year player Mitchell Tinsley and 2023 practice squanders Brycen Tremayne and Kazmeir Allen are other candidates if the Commanders keep at least six receivers on the Week 1 roster. — Ben Standig, The Athletic, 13 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for squander

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1536, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1709, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squander was in 1536

Rhymes for squander

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Browse Nearby Words

squamulose
squander
squandermania
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squander. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

squander

verb
squan·​der
ˈskwän-dər
squandered; squandering
-d(ə-)riŋ
: to spend foolishly or wastefully
squandered all her money on video games
squanderer
-dər-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on squander

Nglish: Translation of squander for Spanish Speakers

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