improvident

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈprä-və-dənt How to pronounce improvident (audio)
Definition of improvidentnext
as in careless
not thinking about and providing for the future the improvident view that the wearing away of the ozone layer need not concern us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 improvident So, yes, the judiciary can be a bulwark against improvident prosecutions. — John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026 Then, there’s the waste that results from improvident eating habits. — Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 Unsurprisingly, Peter proves to be nasty, brutish and improvident. — Joanne Kaufman, WSJ, 2 Dec. 2022 The history of emerging markets is full of imprudent investors as well as improvident borrowers. — The Economist, 5 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvident
  1. careless
  2. reckless
  3. wasteful
  4. shortsighted
  5. extravagant
Adjective
  • Josh Hoover may have been a bit careless, but every game TCU has played this season is another painful example how badly both his old school, and coach, miss him.
    — Mac Engel October 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Red Raiders quarterback Will Hammond can be careless with the football, throwing three interceptions against Sam Houston last weekend and posting five picks in four games.
    — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of careless
Adjective
  • Van Lemaster, 88, was booked into the Larimer County Jail on charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and reckless endangerment on Friday.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In 2016, Zelich pled guilty to first-degree reckless homicide in the death of Gamez and one count of hiding a corpse.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • Supporters say the measure aims to cut wasteful government spending by requiring audits for new state special taxes.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Congressional Republicans got rid of the EV tax credit last year after long arguing that markets, not the government, should influence what Americans drive, and dubbed the tax credit wasteful spending.
    — Willa Rubin, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of wasteful
Adjective
  • Twenty-one at-bats after a decent layoff is hardly a big enough sample to get right, which is part of why the Dodgers’ handling of Ohtani this month felt shortsighted.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The two murals lasted until the ’80s and ’90s, and replacing them was a mistake that’s only looked more shortsighted over time.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of shortsighted
Adjective
  • Like most of the country’s entries over the past decade, this blockbuster epic — a summer box office hit at home — makes for an extravagant display of the strength of the nation’s commercial film industry.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Noem was also under fire for extravagant spending at the department, while placing restrictions on FEMA disaster relief funds.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of extravagant

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improvidence
improvident
improving
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Cite this Entry

“Improvident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvident. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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