Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for waste. Search instead for wiste.
Definitions

waste

[weyst] / weɪst /
NOUN
spending, use without thought
Synonyms
STRONGEST
misuse
STRONG
decay desolation destruction devastation dilapidation dissipation disuse exhaustion expenditure extravagance fritter havoc improvidence lavishness loss misapplication overdoing prodigality ravage ruin squander squandering wastage wastefulness
WEAK
lost opportunity unthriftiness
Antonyms
STRONG
building construction creation development growth improvement
WEAK
hoarding possessions saving
NOUN
land that is uncultivated
Synonyms
STRONG
badlands barren bog brush bush desert fen jungle marsh marshland moor quagmire solitude swamp tundra void wasteland wild wilderness wilds
WEAK
brushland dust bowl
Antonyms
WEAK
development hoarding possessions saving
NOUN
garbage, refuse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
debris rubbish scrap trash
STRONG
dreck dregs dross excess hogwash junk leavings leftovers litter offal rubble ruins rummage slop sweepings swill
WEAK
offscourings
Antonyms
STRONGEST
possessions sense
WEAK
development hoarding saving
VERB
spend or use without thought; dwindle
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 go to waste 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
VERB
ruin, destroy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
reduce spoil
STRONG
desecrate desolate despoil devastate devour pillage rape ravage raze sack
WEAK
depredate lay waste spoliate wreak havoc
Antonyms
STRONGEST
grow
STRONG
build construct help improve protect
WEAK
create hoard preserve save

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 legal battles waste critical government resources and make it impossible for energy companies to plan and invest in new projects,” Hegseth told the committee.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

They were able to free up space in the waste management system tank, but it did not fully clear the problem, Nasa said.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

I’m all in on eliminating waste, fraud and abuse.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

The Universal Waste Management System, as the device is officially called, uses airflow to get rid of waste.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Still, it was lonely for her because Aunt Pretty could talk your arm off, while Pa and I weren’t ones to waste words.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.