Synonyms for

Wastes

Verb / weɪsts / Another word for wastes — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Wastes means to use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.

Synonyms & similar words

blow languish barren dissipation ravage wastefulness emaciate ware neutralize consume rot thriftlessness desolate conserve macerate liquidate wasteland waste squander neutralise scourge devastate squander misuse expend consume discard lavish blow burn dissipate fritter misspend junk trash

Synonyms by register

Formal

discards rejects abandons squanders

Informal

blows burns blows through messes up

Literary

desolates ruins devastates

Antonyms

conserves saves preserves protects hoards develops utilizes

Common collocations

  • waste management
  • food waste
  • waste of time
  • waste of money
  • industrial waste
  • nuclear waste
  • waste disposal
  • waste products

Word family

noun waste
verb waste
adjective wasteful

Usage note

As a verb, 'waste' often implies a careless or inefficient use of resources. As a noun, it refers to unwanted or unusable material, or a state of extreme physical or mental deterioration.

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Example sentences

  1. He wastes his time playing video games instead of doing his homework.
  2. She wastes her money on things she doesn't need.
  3. They wasted all of the food by leaving it out in the sun.
  4. The company wastes a lot of paper by printing unnecessary documents.
  5. He was angry because the restaurant wasted his order.

Quotes

  • Time wasted is existence; used, it is life.
  • Don't waste your time chasing things that will never be beneficial to your future.
  • Life is too short to waste time on things that don't matter.

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