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Definitions

misspend

[mis-spend] / mɪsˈspɛnd /
VERB
squander
Synonyms
Antonyms


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.

See Examples For:

Davis pleaded guilty last month to state and federal felony charges in a conspiracy to misspend tens of millions of dollars from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

From Seattle Times Oct. 10, 2022

Eating out frequently, memberships that aren’t being used, and multiple impulse purchases are some of the ways people misspend.

From Slate Jun. 6, 2021

“If there was a way to misspend money, it seems DHS leadership or their grantees thought of it and tried it,” state auditor Shad White said Monday.

From Reuters May 5, 2020

“If there was a way to misspend money, it seems DHS leadership or their grantees thought of it and tried it,” White said Monday.

From Washington Times May 4, 2020

Those that dare lose a day are dangerously prodigal, those that dare misspend it, desperate.

From Architects of Fate or, Steps to Success and Power by Orison Swett Marden

Numerous investigations and reports have determined that the city often misspends money designated for at-risk students, using it to meet regular expenses and staffing needs that the per-pupil funding should cover.

From Washington Post Dec. 14, 2022

In the first of the eight prints, young Tom Rakewell inherits wealth from his miserly father and misspends it for the remainder of his life in copying the lifestyle of an aristocrat.

From The Harlot's Progress, The Rake's Progress (MS., CA. 1778-1780) by Anonymous

The workers’ coordinated front is going up against a school district facing leadership turmoil and suspicion of misspent funds.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 13, 2026

She plans out every part of the trip to avoid even one misspent moment.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 17, 2026

He alleges that some government officials hoped to bypass the legal requirements, including public consultation, that are supposed to prevent taxpayers' money from being misspent.

From BBC Dec. 20, 2024

Fitch’s office said in the lawsuit Thursday that the attorney general has never declined to pursue additional litigation to try to get Favre to repay interest on misspent money.

From Seattle Times Feb. 22, 2024

“This can’t be the first time an unauthorized person misspent money.”

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

“If we end up misspending a couple of hundred billion dollars, I think that that is going to be very unfortunate, obviously,” Zuckerberg said in a 2025 podcast.

From Barron's Apr. 29, 2026

“If we end up misspending a couple of hundred billion dollars, I think that that is going to be very unfortunate obviously,” Meta Platforms Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg recently acknowledged.

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 16, 2025

During her tenure, her agency uncovered tens of millions of dollars of local government misspending and questionable financial practices.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 25, 2024

In February, a Manhattan jury found Wayne LaPierre, the longtime leader of the N.R.A., liable for misspending $5.4 million of the organization’s money.

From New York Times Apr. 17, 2024

The women next door have another reproach: Maria Isabel is misspending the hard-earned money, $100 to $150 a month, that Enrique diligently sends his daughter.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario




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