Synonyms and antonyms of To waste or misuse a thing or opportunity in British Thesaurus

wear out ()

to use something a lot so that it no longer works, or can no longer be used

throw away ()

to waste something such as an opportunity or an advantage, for example by doing something silly

waste (verb)

to use more of something than is necessary, or to use it in a way that does not produce the best results

waste (verb)

to fail to make effective use of something that is valuable and could help you

abuse (verb)

to use something in a bad, dishonest, or harmful way

misuse (verb)

to use something in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose

squander (verb)

if you squander something such as money, time, or an opportunity, you do not use it in a sensible way

fritter away ()

to waste time or money on things that are not necessary or important

chuck away (informal)

informal to waste an advantage or an opportunity you have

overwork (verb)

to use or do something so much that it is no longer effective

batten on ()

to use someone or something for your own purposes, often in a way that causes harm or difficulties

blow (verb)

informal to destroy your own chance of succeeding, or to waste a good opportunity

dissipate (verb)

formal to waste something such as time, money, or supplies by not using it in a sensible way

go down the tubes/tube ()

to be wasted

hog (verb)

informal to take or use a lot of something in a way that prevents other people from having it

lose (verb)

if you lose time or an opportunity or chance, you use it up or waste it

misspend (verb)

to use money, time, or energy badly

overuse (verb)

to use something so much that it is no longer effective

piddle away (informal)

informal to waste time, energy, or money

piss away (impolite)

impolite to waste time, energy, or money

pour something down the drain ()

to waste something

prostitute (verb)

formal to waste a skill or ability on something that is not worth it in order to earn money

shoot your bolt ()

to waste your only chance to do something

throw money down the drain ()

to waste money by spending it on something useless

waste not, want not ()

used for saying that people who do not waste things always have enough