Misspend: meaning, definitions and examples

Appropriate for situations where time or money is used unwisely over a period of time, often implying a sense of regret or missed opportunities.

• She realized too late that she had misspent her youth partying instead of focusing on her career

General term that can be used in both informal and formal contexts when resources are used carelessly or inefficiently, often without producing any meaningful result.

• Leaving the lights on when no one is in the room is a waste of electricity

Effective in situations where large amounts of resources (money, time, opportunities) are wasted recklessly or extravagantly.

• He squandered his inheritance on lavish parties and expensive cars

Best for formal or serious situations where something valuable is used inappropriately or incorrectly, often causing harm or inefficiency.

• The company was fined for misusing public funds in their latest project

Suitable for casual or informal situations where small amounts of time or money are gradually wasted on unimportant or trivial activities.

• He frittered away his entire afternoon watching cat videos on YouTube