extravagant spending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extravagant spending" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to spending money in a liberally, reckless, and/or excessive manner. Example sentence: "My parents disapprove of my extravagant spending habits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A lifetime of extravagant spending and the Depression took their toll.

The New York Times - Books

She spoke of infidelities, mistresses, blackmail, out-of-wedlock children and extravagant spending.

The New York Times

His eventual successor, Franklin Roosevelt, attacked his "reckless and extravagant" spending.

Independent

Despite the new wealth, extravagant spending led to governmental deficits and foreign borrowing in the 1950s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Especially among younger people," she said, "the days of extravagant spending are out.

The New York Times

They blamed losses on the economic downturn and what they called Cornwell's extravagant spending.

The Guardian - Books

Its top official, Lawrence M. Small, resigned in March after disclosures of extravagant spending.

The New York Times

At the other end of the spectrum, you find money troubles brought on by extravagant spending.

The Guardian - Music

Although well known for extravagant spending while on assignment, those expenses are paid by her employers.

The New York Times

There is a slight misconception over Tottenham's extravagant spending in the summer.

The Guardian - Sport

But prosecutors have other reasons for introducing evidence of extravagant spending.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "extravagant spending", provide specific examples to illustrate the extent and nature of the spending, making your analysis more concrete and impactful.

Common error

Avoid mislabeling essential or strategic investments as "extravagant spending". Ensure the spending genuinely exceeds reasonable needs and provides disproportionate benefits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extravagant spending" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the act of spending money in an excessive or wasteful manner. Examples show its usage in various contexts, often highlighting disapproval or concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extravagant spending" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe spending that exceeds reasonable limits. As Ludwig AI points out, this expression generally conveys a negative connotation. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing about this topic, provide concrete examples and avoid conflating necessary investments with truly wasteful expenditures. Related terms include "lavish expenditures" and "profligate expenses". Remember that the term often carries a negative connotation, so use it judiciously and be prepared to back up your claims with evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lavish expenditures

Replaces "spending" with "expenditures", emphasizing the act of paying out money in a luxurious manner.

profligate expenses

Substitutes "extravagant" with "profligate", highlighting recklessness and wastefulness.

excessive outlays

Uses "excessive" instead of "extravagant", focusing on the surplus nature of the spending. "Outlays" replaces spending for a more formal tone.

wasteful disbursements

Emphasizes the wastefulness of the spending by using "wasteful" and replacing "spending" with the more formal "disbursements".

immoderate consumption

Replaces "spending" with "consumption", broadening the scope to include the use of resources, and uses "immoderate" to suggest a lack of restraint.

unrestrained expenditure

Highlights the lack of control in the spending, using "unrestrained" and replacing "spending" with "expenditure".

inordinate spending habits

Focuses on the pattern of spending, using "habits" and describing it as "inordinate", meaning exceeding reasonable limits.

over-the-top spending

Emphasizes the extreme nature of the spending using the idiomatic expression "over-the-top".

opulent acquisitions

Replaces "spending" with "acquisitions", shifting the focus to the items or assets being obtained, and uses "opulent" to describe their luxurious nature.

indulgent financial behavior

Broadens the scope to overall financial behavior, describing it as "indulgent", implying a yielding to one's desires.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "extravagant spending"?

Alternatives include "lavish expenditures", "profligate expenses", or "excessive outlays", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "extravagant spending" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's "extravagant spending" on executive retreats raised concerns among shareholders" or "His "extravagant spending" habits led to significant debt."

What is the difference between "extravagant spending" and "wasteful spending"?

"Extravagant spending" implies spending lavishly or beyond what is necessary, while "wasteful spending" specifically emphasizes that the money is being spent without achieving a valuable outcome.

Is "extravagant spending" always considered negative?

Yes, the term "extravagant spending" typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the spending is excessive, unnecessary, and perhaps even irresponsible. While "spending" itself is neutral, the adjective "extravagant" adds a critical dimension.