wanton spending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wanton spending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe excessive or reckless expenditure, often implying a lack of restraint or consideration for consequences. Example: "The company's wanton spending on luxury office decor raised eyebrows among shareholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

TOKYO — Seeking to bring its spiraling debt under control, Japan has undertaken an unlikely exercise: lawmakers are forcing bureaucrats to defend their budgets at public hearings and are slashing wanton spending.

The New York Times

Mackenzie Eaglen, resident fellow in the Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, told VICE News there was much more to these acquisition challenges than "wanton spending and program mismanagement".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

My mind has been consumed with nothing but thoughts of spending, purchasing, and the wanton enjoyment of unnecessary goods.

The New Yorker

— Woody Allen, "Tails of Manhattan," (March 20 , 2009 My mind has been consumed with nothing but thoughts of spending, purchasing, and the wanton enjoyment of unnecessary goods.

The New Yorker

Even one moment spent away from studying felt wanton, stolen.

The New York Times

Along with Buffalo Jones, who lost his money and then his mind (the last years of his life were spent haranguing street groups against the wanton extermination of the beasts he himself had so profitably slaughtered), the glamours of the past are today entombed.

The New Yorker

This mythology includes the belief that adding to public debt is a form of investment and that spending the taxpayers' money on a colossal scale and in a wanton manner may have positive economic virtues.

Forbes

Although Mr Eine's chosen canvas now tends to be metal shop shutters rather than trains, it soon emerged that the artist had spent years engaged in what British Transport Police would certainly categorise as wanton damage.

The Guardian - Opinion

As more and more people spend less time in nature, there is a danger that today's era of wanton environmental destruction could resume.

Huffington Post

On the other end of the analytical spectrum of the effects of wanton death and violence, we have Motherboard's documentary on a forensic dentist in Mexico who spends his spare time in a Juarez lab revitalizing and squeezing whatever DNA is left out of the scores of unidentified corpses leftover from narco-related and other forms of violence.

Vice

The wanton, wicked waste".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing government or organizational finances, use "wanton spending" to clearly convey disapproval of wasteful expenditure.

Common error

While "wanton spending" effectively conveys disapproval, avoid using it excessively. Vary your language with synonyms like "reckless expenditure" or "extravagant spending" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanton spending" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "wanton" modifies the noun "spending". Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is correct and common. It typically describes a negative attribute associated with spending habits.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wanton spending" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood phrase used to express disapproval of excessive or irresponsible expenditure. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to criticize financial behavior lacking justification. While synonyms such as "reckless expenditure" and "extravagant spending" exist, "wanton spending" effectively conveys a sense of disapproval. When using this phrase, be mindful of overuse and ensure it aligns with the context to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reckless expenditure

Focuses on the lack of care and potential negative consequences.

extravagant spending

Emphasizes the luxurious and unnecessary nature of the spending.

profligate spending

Highlights the wastefulness and moral disapproval of the spending.

unrestrained spending

Focuses on the lack of control or limits in the expenditure.

excessive expenditure

Simply indicates spending that goes beyond what is reasonable or necessary.

indiscriminate spending

Suggests that spending is done without careful selection or judgment.

uncontrolled expenditure

Similar to "unrestrained spending", it points to a lack of regulation.

irresponsible spending

Highlights the lack of accountability and potential harm.

wasteful expenditure

Emphasizes the inefficient use of resources.

imprudent spending

Suggests a lack of wisdom and foresight in financial decisions.

FAQs

What does "wanton spending" mean?

"Wanton spending" refers to excessive, reckless, and often unnecessary expenditure, implying a lack of restraint and disregard for consequences.

What are some synonyms for "wanton spending"?

Alternatives include "reckless expenditure", "extravagant spending", and "profligate spending", each carrying slightly different connotations.

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

You might say, "The government's "wanton spending" on the project drew criticism from taxpayers".

Is "wanton spending" a formal or informal phrase?

"Wanton spending" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's often found in news and opinion pieces due to its evaluative tone.