go to waste

VERB

waste

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blow consume deplete dissipate divert drain exhaust lavish lose misuse squander undermine

STRONG

atrophy corrode crumble debilitate decay decline decrease disable disappear droop ebb emaciate empty enfeeble fade gnaw misapply perish sap sink splurge thin wane wear wilt wither

WEAK

be of no avail burn up eat away fritter away frivol away gamble away misemploy pour down the drain run dry run through throw away trifle away wear out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accumulate collect fill gather hoard maintain save starve succeed

STRONG

aid assist bloom build develop grow help improve increase raise rise strengthen

WEAK

create preserve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These meals use up ingredients that might otherwise go to waste and are simple and quick to prepare.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

The results suggest that tyrannosaurs did not let resources go to waste.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

Plaintiff attorneys never let a cultural problem go to waste.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

The charity collects surplus food from large supermarkets and wholesalers which would otherwise go to waste.

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025

There was no way she was going to let that sacrifice go to waste.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack