What does squandered mean?
Squandered describes something valuable that has been spent, used, or allowed to disappear wastefully. The word is especially associated with money, but it can also refer to time, opportunities, talent, resources, or chances: a team may squander a lead, and a person may squander an inheritance through poor decisions. It carries a strongly negative connotation because it implies that value has been lost without a worthwhile return. The related verb squander is used when something is deliberately or carelessly dissipated. The word can also describe a person who has been cheated out of an inheritance or fortune. In less common usage, a place or building may be described as squandered when neglect has allowed it to decay. Overall, squandered conveys not merely an unfortunate loss but a failure to preserve, use, or make the most of something important.
To spend or use money, time, opportunities, or other resources wastefully.
"He squandered his inheritance on expensive holidays and cars."
Often implies carelessness or poor judgment as well as unnecessary expenditure.
Having been spent, used, or allowed to deteriorate wastefully or through neglect.
"The squandered fortune could have provided education for several generations."
As an adjective, it usually follows a noun describing something valuable, such as money, resources, opportunities, or a fortune.
To squander is to let something valuable disappear without gaining anything worth keeping.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does squandered come from?
The verb squander comes from a word meaning to scatter or disperse, originally perhaps referring to dispersing resources. Its modern sense of wasting money or opportunities developed over time. The word is related in origin to the older verb spendthrift and to the notion of scattering something that could have been saved or used effectively.
Related word forms
How squandered is actually used
The word is generally critical or disapproving: it presents the expenditure or loss as careless and wasteful. It is common in formal and journalistic writing as well as in everyday speech.
Easily confused with squandered
Squander means to waste valuable resources, whereas slander means to make a false statement that damages someone's reputation.
Squander refers to wasteful use or expenditure, while wander means to move without a fixed destination or purpose.