Synonyms of prodigal

prodigal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈprä-di-gəl 

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

• wasteful
• profligate
• generous
• extravagant
• spendthrift
• unthrifty
• high-rolling
• liberal
• thriftless
• reckless
• lavish
• squandering
• careless
• philanthropic
• bountiful
• improvident
• munificent
• unselfish
• imprudent
• bighearted
• shortsighted
• heedless
• openhanded
• charitable
• myopic
• injudicious
• openhearted
• unstinting
• incautious
• indulgent
• unsparing
• unwise
• self-indulgent
• freehanded
• wanton
• splurging
• freehearted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• frugal
• thrifty
• economical
• parsimonious
• conserving
• miserly
• penurious
• spare
• mean
• stingy
• cheap
• tightfisted
• wise
• sparing
• careful
• close
• tight
• prudent
• sensible
• penny-pinching
• pinching
• judicious
• economizing
• skimping
• scrimping
• provident
• stinting
• closefisted
• farsighted
• forehanded
• foresighted
• forethoughtful
• foreseeing

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

• spendthrift
• wastrel
• waster
• spender
• dissipate
• profligate
• squanderer
• high roller
• fritterer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• economizer
• miser
• skinflint
• tightwad
• cheapskate
• saver
• piker
• penny-pincher
• scrooge
• conserver

Synonym Chooser

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

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prodigal

Adjective

As if Laura is the prodigal daughter returning home, the two women quickly fall into a familiar routine that bears obvious signs of something stranger, including Betty immediately volunteering her real child’s bed and clothes to the total stranger. —Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026

But the real underlying reason he was fired is because Lamar Jackson is still the prodigal son of this organization and has all the power. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026

Noun

The food today is extraordinarily good and prodigal. —Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025

Having blown into town as a returned prodigal, Jérémie seems to be on his way to becoming a surrogate son. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025