wasteful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "wasteful" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, action, or use of resources that is uneconomical, extravagant, and/or unnecessary. For example, "The company's wasteful use of resources meant that profits were down for the quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Fox's pledge to maintain Britain's ability to wage war unilaterally, cooperate with France while snubbing the EU's defence agency, cutting Whitehall staff and reforming wasteful procurement (again) does not sound like tough realism, especially when combined with Cameron's gimmicky "war cabinet" and national security adviser approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have become suspicious: of their mawkish advertising, of their treatment of farmers, of their desperate bids to package up things that really don't need packaging up at all (I mean this literally and metaphorically, versions of "restaurant-style" dishes being every bit as phoney and wasteful as apples wrapped in too much plastic).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Miller, however, would complete his double with a finish of such purity that he would cause the majority in the stands to wonder how he could be so wasteful and so productive in the course of a single match.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's probably the biggest revolution we've seen in technology, this embedding of computing in everything around us, and it will make our lives more convenient, more fun and less wasteful," said Neul's chief executive Stan Boland.

The Guardian - Tech

Labour is signalling an end to the ideological regime of Gove by pledging to cancel his beloved free school programme, saying it has been wasteful.

The Guardian

Is there anything more sublime and wasteful to spend money on?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mark Pyman, Director of TI's defence and security programme, said: "Corruption in defence is dangerous, divisive and wasteful, and the cost is paid by citizens, soldiers, companies and governments.

The Guardian - Business

According to the typescript, finished in 1947, he was cruel, negligent, greedy, self-centred and wasteful.

The Guardian - Books

It means that, rather than welcoming the next wave of costly and inefficient public-private partnerships, I will expect them to perform the same wasteful con tricks at my expense which their predecessors did.

The Guardian

These measures could be paid for by cancelling Labour's wasteful and reactionary expenditure of more than £100bn on new Trident nuclear missiles, ID cards, two super aircraft carriers, the botched computerisation of the NHS and further motorway expansion.

The Guardian - Opinion

More generally, with any project inherited from the previous government, the only question is whether to appropriate it, and claim the credit, or dump it and present it as an example of wasteful Labor spending.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business writing, use "wasteful" to identify inefficient processes or spending habits that negatively impact the bottom line. This can emphasize the need for cost-saving measures.

Common error

Avoid using "wasteful" when you actually mean "toxic" or "harmful". "Wasteful" refers to inefficient use, while "toxic" implies poisonous or damaging effects. For example, a process might be wasteful in its energy consumption, but it's only toxic if it releases harmful substances.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "wasteful" primarily functions to describe something that uses or consumes resources inefficiently or extravagantly. It indicates a lack of economy or prudence in the utilization of assets, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wasteful" is a versatile adjective used to describe inefficient or extravagant use of resources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and business contexts. When writing, remember that "wasteful" implies inefficiency rather than toxicity and consider related terms like "uneconomical" or "extravagant" for nuanced expression. Avoid common errors by distinguishing "wasteful" from terms like "toxic". By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately use "wasteful" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uneconomical

Focuses on the lack of cost-effectiveness and poor financial management.

extravagant

Emphasizes spending lavishly or beyond what is necessary.

squandering

Focuses on carelessly wasting opportunities or resources.

profligate

Suggests recklessness and a lack of restraint in spending or using resources.

thriftless

Highlights a lack of careful management and economy.

unthrifty

A synonym to thriftless that refers to a person, organization or system that wastes its resources

improvident

Highlights a lack of foresight and planning, leading to waste.

dissipative

Emphasizes the process of gradually wasting or losing something.

excessive

Emphasizes an amount that is more than necessary, reasonable, or tolerable.

frivolous

Implies a lack of seriousness and practical value.

FAQs

How can I use "wasteful" in a sentence?

You can use "wasteful" to describe something that uses more of something (like time, money, or resources) than is necessary. For example, "The project was a "wasteful" endeavor because it consumed too many resources."

What can I say instead of "wasteful"?

You can use alternatives like "extravagant", "uneconomical", or "profligate" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "wasteful" and "thrifty"?

"Wasteful" describes something that uses resources inefficiently or excessively, while "thrifty" implies careful and economical use of resources. They are near antonyms, highlighting opposite approaches to resource management.

Which is correct, "wasteful spending" or "wasted spending"?

"Wasteful spending" is generally preferred to describe spending that is inherently inefficient or unnecessary. "Wasted spending" can also be used, but it might imply that the spending had the potential to be beneficial but ultimately failed to produce the desired results.