squander
/ˈskwɒnd.ə/
Group 27Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To waste something, especially money or time, in a reckless and foolish manner GRE
Example in Context
The administration squandered the political capital it had accumulated by pursuing an unpopular initiative that alienated its core supporters.
Synonyms
wasteblowfritter
Etymology
Originally from French, meaning to waste away recklessly.
- squandrer (Old French) — to waste
Memory Aid
💸Sounds like “squander”
If you SQUANDER your cash like a squirrel throwing nuts, you'll be broke faster than you can say 'nutty'!
Visual Association
🤑A squirrel throwing dollar bills around instead of saving them, looking hilariously carefree.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “squander” mean on the GRE?
squander (verb) means “To waste something, especially money or time, in a reckless and foolish manner”. The administration squandered the political capital it had accumulated by pursuing an unpopular initiative that alienated its core supporters.
How to remember “squander” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “squander” sounds like “squander”. If you SQUANDER your cash like a squirrel throwing nuts, you'll be broke faster than you can say 'nutty'!
What are synonyms for “squander”?
Common synonyms: waste, blow, fritter.