squander Meaning & Definition
What Does Squander Mean?
Squander is used as a verb meaning to spend extravagantly or foolishly. It is also used to mean to cause to disperse. As a noun, it means an act of squandering.
Squander: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈskwän-dər/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | waste, ware and consume |
| Antonyms | conserve, husband and lay aside |
| Verb forms | squanders, squandering, squandered |
Squander Definition (Verb)
- to spend extravagantly or foolishly : dissipate, waste
squandered a fortune
- to cause to disperse : scatter
- to lose (something, such as an advantage or opportunity) through negligence or inaction
- disperse, scatter
Squander as a Noun
- an act of squandering
Synonyms of Squander
Antonyms of Squander
Squander in a Sentence
.
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.
squandered a fortune
squandered all her money gambling in casinos
a single blast of the shotgun squandered the herd of deer
Word Forms & Grammar
squan·dered
squan·der·ing
squan·der·er noun
squander
squandered
squanderer
squanderers
squandering
squanders
squander (third-person singular simple present squanders, present participle squandering, simple past and past participle squandered)
Words That Rhyme With Squander
Origin of Squander
Origin 1: origin unknown
Origin 2: Earliest uses (late 16th c.) "to spend recklessly or prodigiously", also "to scatter over a wide area". Of unknown origin. Perhaps a blend of scatter + wander.
Origin 3: Compare Danish skvætte (rare)/skvatte (“to splash”) (nominalised: skvæt), Icelandic skvetta (“to squirt”), Swedish skvätta (“to splash”), Norwegian Bokmål skvette.[1]
First Known Use
1536t
1709
How Do You Say Squander?
You say squander as /ˈskwän-dər/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (skwän).
Questions People Ask About Squander
Is squander a verb or a noun?
Squander is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for squander?
You can replace squander with words such as waste, ware and consume. See the full list of squander synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of squander?
Antonyms of squander include conserve, husband, lay aside and save up.
What is the past tense of squander?
The past tense of squander is squandered. The present participle is squandering.