wasted
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for wasted, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Used carelessly, without gaining any real benefit; not put to good use.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Used carelessly, without gaining any real benefit; not put to good use.
“It felt like wasted effort to paint the wall before fixing the leak.”
squandered
misspent
unused
frittered away
emaciated
gaunt
otiose
diminished
haggard
atrophied
cadaverous
pinched
2. adjective
Thin and weak from illness or hunger; emaciated.
“After months of illness, her wasted limbs needed physiotherapy to regain strength.”
Opposites
How to use wasted
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a wasted effort
get wasted
wasted potential
The "very drunk/high" sense is slang, common in casual speech.
Frequently asked questions
What does “wasted” mean?
The word “wasted” means used carelessly, without gaining any real benefit; not put to good use. In plain terms, used poorly and without benefit — or, informally, very drunk or high.
How do you pronounce “wasted”?
“Wasted” is pronounced WAYS-tihd (/ˈweɪstɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “wasted” in a sentence?
Here is “wasted” used in a sentence: “That was a wasted opportunity to fix things.”
What part of speech is “wasted”?
“Wasted” is an adjective.
Is “wasted” a common word?
“Wasted” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wasted” have?
“Wasted” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used carelessly, without gaining any real benefit; not put to good use.
What is the difference between "wasted" and "squandered"?
"Wasted" means used carelessly without gaining any real benefit, and it applies to time, money, food, or effort. "Squandered" carries a stronger sense of recklessly throwing away something valuable, so it often sounds more emphatic and judgmental than "wasted."
When should you use "wasted" to describe a person's appearance?
Use "wasted" for a person when they look thin and weak from illness or hunger, meaning emaciated. This sense describes the body being worn down, as in a wasted frame after a long illness, and differs from the everyday sense of resources not put to good use.
What are common collocations with the word "wasted"?
In its main sense, "wasted" pairs with words like "time," "money," "effort," "opportunity," and "food," as in "wasted time" or "a wasted opportunity." These phrases all express that something valuable was used carelessly without producing any benefit.
