What is the difference between the verbs to squander and to waste? For example:
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to squander money
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to waste money
Learn English – Difference between waste and squander
synonyms
synonyms
What is the difference between the verbs to squander and to waste? For example:
to squander money
to waste money
Best Answer
They're essentially equivalent when talking about "throwing money down the drain", i.e., spending it mindlessly, thoughtlessly, and fruitlessly.
More generally, it depends upon intention.
If I made what appeared to be a sound investment that lost money, I can chastise myself for having "wasted my money" because I gained nothing, but I can't say that I "squandered my money". If I merely went out shopping and bought everything I saw without thinking about it, I can chastise myself for having "squandered my money" when it's all gone.
The difference, therefore, is one of doing something senseless (squandering) versus something not necessarily senseless but equally in vain (wasting).