Squander: meaning, definitions and examples

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squander

[ˈskwɒn.dər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

waste

To waste (something, especially money or time) in a reckless and foolish manner.

Synonyms

blow, fritter away, lavish, misuse, waste.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
squander	Often used when someone wastes money, time, or resources in a reckless or foolish manner, usually over a period of time. He squandered his inheritance on bad investments Don't squander your talents by not practicing
waste	General term used to describe the unnecessary use or spending of resources, typically in an inefficient way. Don’t waste water by leaving the tap running She wasted her vacation sitting in the hotel room
misuse	Used when something is used incorrectly or for the wrong purpose, often with negative consequences. He misused the company’s funds for personal expenses Misusing medications can be dangerous
fritter away	Used to describe the wasting of time, money, or energy on unimportant things, often little by little. She frittered away her afternoons watching TV Don't fritter away your allowance on snacks and trinkets
blow	Informal term typically used when someone spends money carelessly or extravagantly in a short period of time. He blew his paycheck on a new phone and a weekend trip Don’t blow all your savings on one luxury item
lavish	Implying excessive generosity or spending, often in a positive or neutral sense, though sometimes it can hint at unnecessary excess. They lavished money on their child's education She lavishes care on her garden to keep it beautiful

Examples of usage

He squandered his inheritance on gambling.
Don't squander your opportunities.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

scatter

To scatter in various directions; disperse.

Synonyms

disperse, distribute, scatter, spread, strew.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
squander	This word is generally used in a negative sense when referring to wasting resources like money, time, or opportunities. He squandered his inheritance on gambling. Don't squander your time on trivial tasks.
scatter	This term is often used to describe something being thrown or spread in different directions in a random or disorderly way. She scattered the breadcrumbs for the birds. The pieces of the broken vase were scattered all over the floor.
disperse	This term is often used when talking about something being spread out or distributed in different directions, usually in an orderly manner. The police used tear gas to disperse the protesters. The seeds are dispersed by the wind.
distribute	This word is used when describing the act of giving out something to multiple people or locations in an organized way. The organization distributes food to the homeless every week. The company will distribute the profits among the shareholders.
spread	This word can be used in a variety of contexts when something is being extended over a wide area or among many people. It can be used positively or neutrally. He spread the map out on the table. The news about their engagement spread quickly.
strew	This term is used when something is scattered or spread untidily over an area. It often has a slightly negative connotation of messiness. The children strewed their toys all over the living room. Leaves were strewn across the garden after the storm.

Examples of usage

The wind squandered the leaves across the yard.
The explosion squandered debris all over the place.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'squander' comes from the Old French 'esquander', which means to disperse or waste.
Its roots can be traced back to the Latin word 'expondere', meaning to set forth or expose.
The evolved meaning reflects a shift from simply 'spending' to 'wasting' over time, emphasizing carelessness.

Economic Impact

In personal finance, to squander savings can lead to long-term debt and financial instability.
Businesses that squander resources may face bankruptcy or loss of competitive advantage.
Studies show that individuals who squander opportunities often feel regret later in life, impacting overall happiness.

Psychology

Psychological studies suggest that people who frequently squander their time may struggle with decision-making and prioritization.
Cognitive biases can lead to squandering, as individuals overvalue short-term satisfaction over long-term benefits.
Feeling anxious or overwhelmed can prompt individuals to squander time as a means of escape.

Literature

Shakespeare’s works often explore themes of squandering, particularly in relation to time and youth.
In many classic novels, characters who squander their fortunes often face dire consequences, serving as a moral lesson.
Contemporary literature frequently depicts the squandering of opportunities as a source of character development and personal loss.

Cultural References

In popular culture, numerous movies depict characters who squander their wealth or talents, leading to redemption arcs or tragic endings.
Songs often touch on the theme of squandering love or relationships, resonating with audiences about missed chances.
Comedy sketches frequently utilize the concept of squandering in humorous ways, highlighting the absurdity of waste.

Translations

Translations of the word "squander" in other languages:

🇵🇹 esbanjar

🇮🇳 बर्बाद करना

🇩🇪 verschwenden

🇮🇩 menghamburkan

🇺🇦 марнувати

🇵🇱 marnować

🇯🇵 浪費する (ろうひする, rōhisuru)

🇫🇷 gaspiller

🇪🇸 despilfarrar

🇹🇷 israf etmek

🇰🇷 낭비하다 (nangbihada)

🇸🇦 بذّر (bazzar)

🇨🇿 plýtvat

🇸🇰 mrhať

🇨🇳 挥霍 (huīhuò)

🇸🇮 razsipavati

🇮🇸 sóun

🇰🇿 ысырап ету

🇬🇪 გაფლანგვა (gaplangva)

🇦🇿 israf etmək

🇲🇽 desperdiciar

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,490, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
26487 groundnuts
26488 outstrip
26489 deducing
26490 squander
26491 wholesaling
26492 sizzling
26493 titanic
...