Profligate
hardPROF-lih-git
adjective
Definition
Recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources
Examples
“His profligate spending habits led to bankruptcy.”
“The profligate use of natural resources concerns environmentalists.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Profligate is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "wasteful" or "extravagant" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "frugal".
Related GRE Words
extravagant
Lacking restraint in spending money or using resources
prodigal
Spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant
lavish
Sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious
excessive
More than is necessary, normal, or desirable; immoderate
inundate
To overwhelm with things or people to be dealt with
adulatory
Excessively praising or admiring; fawning
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