prodigal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈprä-di-gəl How to pronounce prodigal (audio)
Definition of prodigalnext
as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly the prodigal child always spent her allowance the minute she got it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prodigal

2 of 2

noun

as in spendthrift
someone who spends money freely or foolishly the million-dollar lottery winner was such a prodigal that his windfall was exhausted after only a few years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word prodigal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prodigal are exuberant, lavish, lush, luxuriant, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When might exuberant be a better fit than prodigal?

The words exuberant and prodigal can be used in similar contexts, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

When could lavish be used to replace prodigal?

The synonyms lavish and prodigal are sometimes interchangeable, but lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

In what contexts can lush take the place of prodigal?

The meanings of lush and prodigal largely overlap; however, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When would luxuriant be a good substitute for prodigal?

In some situations, the words luxuriant and prodigal are roughly equivalent. However, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When can profuse be used instead of prodigal?

Although the words profuse and prodigal have much in common, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of prodigal
Adjective
Newport ’65 was really a Thanksgiving dinner gone amok, in which the prodigal son and the father and several uncles and others are fighting. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024 First, the show’s barnburner opening number is followed by a very, very, very long group performance at the show’s midpoint after prodigal son Johnny’s arrival. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
Instead, all the adulation is directed toward Charlotte’s prodigal adopted son, the guy who holds more than his share of team records and is considered by many to be the best player in franchise history. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2025 After all, there’s always one prodigal — one unstable element who’s removed themself as far as possible from the precarious family mixture. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for prodigal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigal
  1. wasteful
  2. spendthrift
  3. wastrel
  4. waster
  5. profligate
Adjective
  • High-profile eliminations of wasteful spending (some real, others not) won’t make a dent in federal spending.
    — Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Trump has said the department is wasteful and a bastion for left-wing indoctrination.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of wasteful
Noun
  • The Bucs came through three spendthrift seasons with Tom Brady, winning Super Bowl 55 then trying to defend that title, which proved unsuccessful.
    — Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The week the time changes might be best focused on spendthrifts.
    — Roger Dooley, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of spendthrift
Noun
  • Ridley, traumatized by the cancer death of her mother and considered mostly a wastrel by those around her for pursuing a degree in the dread-inducing major of art history, knows a thing or two about the mythology behind these kindly rainbow-spewing creatures.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Henry Muck, suitably nicknamed Prince Hal by his family and friends, may be Industry’s version of the ultimate privileged wastrel.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2024
Definition of wastrel
Noun
  • For example, default settings for focus time added blocking of sites in the categories Shopping, Tabloids, and Time wasters.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Photo: Brown Harris Stevens Above the bedroom is a double-height library, which turns the sloping ceiling behind a mansard roof into a design feature rather than a space waster.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 24 Oct. 2024
Definition of waster
Noun
  • In some ways, the game was set up for him, with Villa profligate but still regularly creating chances.
    — Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
  • The monarchy and the British government, which provides significant financial support for the institution, have long faced a careful balancing act: Both have worked to maintain the pomp and circumstance of the institution while avoiding looking profligate.
    — WSJ, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022
Definition of profligate

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Cite this Entry

“Prodigal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigal. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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