extravagance 🔊
Meaning of extravagance
The act of spending more money or resources than necessary, often in a lavish or wasteful manner.
Key Difference
Extravagance emphasizes excessive spending or indulgence, often with a negative connotation of wastefulness, whereas its synonyms may vary in intensity or context.
Example of extravagance
- The billionaire's extravagance was evident in his collection of rare sports cars and private jets.
- Critics pointed out the extravagance of hosting a gala in the middle of an economic crisis.
Synonyms
luxury 🔊
Meaning of luxury
A state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense.
Key Difference
Luxury suggests comfort and pleasure without necessarily implying wastefulness.
Example of luxury
- Staying at a five-star resort is the ultimate luxury for many travelers.
- She enjoyed the luxury of a personal chef during her vacation.
excess 🔊
Meaning of excess
An amount of something that is more than necessary, permitted, or desirable.
Key Difference
Excess is a broader term and can refer to any overabundance, not just spending.
Example of excess
- The excess of food at the wedding reception went to waste.
- His excess in eating led to health problems.
profligacy 🔊
Meaning of profligacy
Reckless extravagance or wastefulness in the use of resources.
Key Difference
Profligacy carries a stronger negative moral judgment than extravagance.
Example of profligacy
- The king's profligacy drained the kingdom's treasury.
- Financial profligacy led to the company's downfall.
lavishness 🔊
Meaning of lavishness
The quality of being very generous or extravagant.
Key Difference
Lavishness can imply generosity but often borders on excess.
Example of lavishness
- The lavishness of the royal wedding astonished the public.
- Her lavishness in gift-giving made her popular among friends.
opulence 🔊
Meaning of opulence
Great wealth or luxuriousness.
Key Difference
Opulence focuses on richness and abundance rather than wastefulness.
Example of opulence
- The palace was a symbol of opulence and power.
- The opulence of the diamond necklace was undeniable.
splurge 🔊
Meaning of splurge
An act of spending money freely or extravagantly.
Key Difference
Splurge is often a one-time indulgence rather than a habitual behavior.
Example of splurge
- She decided to splurge on a designer handbag for her birthday.
- After saving for months, he splurged on a high-end gaming PC.
wastefulness 🔊
Meaning of wastefulness
The trait of using resources carelessly or inefficiently.
Key Difference
Wastefulness is more explicitly negative and implies poor management.
Example of wastefulness
- The wastefulness of leaving lights on all night increased the electricity bill.
- Environmentalists criticized the wastefulness of single-use plastics.
indulgence 🔊
Meaning of indulgence
Allowing oneself to enjoy pleasures or luxuries.
Key Difference
Indulgence is more about self-gratification than financial excess.
Example of indulgence
- A weekend spa trip was her little indulgence after a stressful month.
- His indulgence in fine wines was well-known among his friends.
prodigality 🔊
Meaning of prodigality
Extravagant wastefulness or reckless spending.
Key Difference
Prodigality is an older term with a stronger sense of recklessness.
Example of prodigality
- The prodigality of the merchant's son ruined the family fortune.
- Ancient texts often warn against the dangers of prodigality.
Conclusion
- Extravagance is best used when describing excessive spending with a hint of disapproval.
- Luxury can be used in contexts where comfort and elegance are the focus without negative judgment.
- Excess is suitable when referring to any overabundance, not just financial.
- Profligacy should be used when moral or ethical condemnation is intended.
- Lavishness works well when describing generosity that borders on extravagance.
- Opulence is ideal for highlighting richness and grandeur.
- Splurge fits casual, one-time spending sprees.
- Wastefulness is appropriate when criticizing careless resource use.
- Indulgence is best for personal pleasures without financial recklessness.
- Prodigality is a formal or literary term for extreme financial recklessness.