# wastefully

**Pronunciation:** /ˈweɪstfəli/ · WAYST-fuh-lee

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** adverb

## Meaning

In a way that uses or spends something carelessly, inefficiently, or without good reason.

## Examples

- The old factory operated wastefully, consuming vast amounts of energy for minimal output.
- She spent her inheritance wastefully on luxury items instead of investing it wisely.
- Leaving the lights on in an empty room is a wastefully inefficient use of electricity.

## Synonyms

- extravagantly — Implies spending or using in an excessive, often showy, way.
- inefficiently — Focuses on a lack of productivity or effective use of resources.
- profligately — Suggests reckless extravagance or moral looseness in spending.
- squanderingly — Emphasizes throwing away or losing something through foolish or careless spending.

## Antonyms

- efficiently — In a way that achieves maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
- economically — In a way that saves money or resources; without waste.
- frugally — In a careful and sparing way with regard to money or food.

## Common patterns

- wastefully spend — To spend money or resources without good reason. — Many companies wastefully spend on unnecessary office supplies.
- wastefully consume — To use up resources in an inefficient or excessive manner. — Older engines tend to wastefully consume more fuel.
- wastefully use — To employ something without proper care or purpose. — Leaving water running while brushing teeth is to wastefully use a precious resource.

## Collocations

- operate wastefully — The old machine operated wastefully, using too much fuel.
- spend wastefully — He spent his money wastefully on things he didn't need.

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