profligate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His son David speculated that his dad’s mixed feelings about his fast-food career stemmed from a mentality common among children of the Depression: “Excess bothered them. It almost seemed profligate and unnecessary,” he explained.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Hansi Flick's Barca created several clear opportunities in an entertaining clash but the woodwork and some profligate finishing stopped them from securing a far bigger victory.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

L.A.’s gleefully profligate, sport-altering franchise is on the verge of learning a costly, ancient baseball lesson:

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

Captain Dan Sheehan, Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly scored in a first half largely dominated by the profligate hosts in terms of territory but not on the scoreboard.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2025

Lewis was so confident of his process that he was profligate with what was still a rare substance.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik