1 profligacy | Definition of profligacy

profligacy

noun
prof·​li·​ga·​cy | \ ˈprä-fli-gə-sē How to pronounce profligacy (audio) \

Definition of profligacy

: the quality or state of being profligate

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Examples of profligacy in a Sentence

a religious leader who railed against the profligacy of the nation's decadent aristocrats

Recent Examples on the Web

Dombrowski, however, has a penchant for profligacy. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "It’s time for a Red Sox reset," 21 Aug. 2019 The problem is that Mr Salvini has antagonised the commission and northern member states, which are wary of being on the hook for other countries’ profligacy. The Economist, "Will Matteo Salvini wreck the euro?," 11 July 2019 In the years before he was toppled in a coup in November 2017, Mr Mugabe’s regime created money out of thin air to finance graft and profligacy. The Economist, "Zimbabwe faces its worst economic crisis in a decade," 15 Aug. 2019 While Rossello has clashed with the panel over the budget, such conflicts only underscored Puerto Ricans’ feelings of powerlessness and contempt for politicians whose profligacy drove the territory into ruin. Michael Deibert, Fortune, "Puerto Rico Governor’s Resignation Shakes Bankrupt Island," 25 July 2019 Some—especially at the top—understandably resent his immaturity and his preening and his profligacy with his talent. Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "50 Parting Thoughts From Wimbledon 2019," 14 July 2019 But charges of profligacy and failed projects dogged his tenure. Adam Rasmi, Quartz, "The UK’s new prime minister has a resume that would make anyone think twice," 23 July 2019 And why were these supporters not outraged at Zuma’s private extravagance, profligacy and brushes with the law? Quartz Africa, "The worrying link between Jacob Zuma’s shameless defiance and Pentecostalism," 8 June 2018 But investors may need to look elsewhere for the real victims of all the cash flowing into a sector that epitomizes the promise and profligacy of Silicon Valley. Stephen Wilmot, WSJ, "Amazon Deal Makes Meal Delivery Even Hotter," 17 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'profligacy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of profligacy

1738, in the meaning defined above

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More from Merriam-Webster on profligacy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for profligacy

Nglish: Translation of profligacy for Spanish Speakers