Squander: meaning, definitions and examples

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.