PRODIGAL Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'prodigal' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prodigal are exuberant , lavish , lush , luxuriant , and profuse . While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources. // prodigal spending

Q: When might 'exuberant' be a better fit than 'prodigal'?

The words exuberant and prodigal can be used in similar contexts, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly. // an exuberant imagination

Q: When could 'lavish' be used to replace 'prodigal'?

The synonyms lavish and prodigal are sometimes interchangeable, but lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion. // a lavish party

Q: In what contexts can 'lush' take the place of 'prodigal'?

The meanings of lush and prodigal largely overlap; however, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance. // a lush green lawn

Q: When would 'luxuriant' be a good substitute for 'prodigal'?

In some situations, the words luxuriant and prodigal are roughly equivalent. However, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance. // a luxuriant beard

Q: When can 'profuse' be used instead of 'prodigal'?

Although the words profuse and prodigal have much in common, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint. // profuse apologies

prodigal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈprä-di-gəl

Definition of prodigal next

as in wasteful

given to spending money freely or foolishly the prodigal child always spent her allowance the minute she got it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prodigal

2 of 2

noun

as in spendthrift

someone who spends money freely or foolishly the million-dollar lottery winner was such a prodigal that his windfall was exhausted after only a few years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word prodigal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prodigal are exuberant, lavish, lush, luxuriant, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When might exuberant be a better fit than prodigal?

The words exuberant and prodigal can be used in similar contexts, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

When could lavish be used to replace prodigal?

The synonyms lavish and prodigal are sometimes interchangeable, but lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

In what contexts can lush take the place of prodigal?

The meanings of lush and prodigal largely overlap; however, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When would luxuriant be a good substitute for prodigal?

In some situations, the words luxuriant and prodigal are roughly equivalent. However, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When can profuse be used instead of prodigal?

Although the words profuse and prodigal have much in common, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of prodigal

Adjective

To mark National Black Cat Day watch the video above to see the surprise return of a prodigal black cat. —

Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024 The same year that Joker used the Waynes as representatives of the evil one percent, Robert Pattinson was cast as a younger goth version of Gotham’s nocturnal prodigal son in Matt Reeves’s The Batman, of which The Penguin is a spinoff. —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024

Noun

Instead, all the adulation is directed toward Charlotte’s prodigal adopted son, the guy who holds more than his share of team records and is considered by many to be the best player in franchise history. —

Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2025 After all, there’s always one prodigal — one unstable element who’s removed themself as far as possible from the precarious family mixture. —

Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prodigal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigal

Adjective

Rubin’s reporting for the San Francisco Chronicle, NPR and Capital & Main has led to state laws protecting workers from lead poisoning and has exposed wasteful spending.

— Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Draws at home to Southampton in November (1-1) and at Leicester in December (2-2) were wasteful, especially in the latter case when a 2-0 lead was relinquished late on.

— Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025