Adjective

In a curious way, part of the genius of America has been a collective forgetfulness, a talent for somehow outdistancing problems in a headlong race toward something new. It is a form of heedlessness, perhaps, blithe and profligate , but also an exuberant forward spin that may spare people the exhausting obligations of revenge. — Lance Morrow , Time ,

Sure, the trade deficit symbolizes a profligate America, consuming more than it produces and spending more than it has. — Philip Revzin , Wall Street Journal ,

Everyone seemed fond of statistics, but the counterterrorism experts were especially profligate with numbers. — Kurt Andersen , Time ,

She was very profligate in her spending.

profligate movie producers hoping to create the next blockbuster

Noun

"Why did you ask that scoundrel, Rawdon Crawley, to dine?" said the Rector to his lady, as they were walking home through the park. "I don't want the fellow. He looks down upon us country people as so many blackamoors. … Besides, he's such an infernal character—he's a gambler—he's a drunkard—he's a profligate in every way." — William Makepeace Thackeray , Vanity Fair ,

a profligate who could not really afford the grand style he maintained at Monticello, Jefferson died deeply in debt

a drunken profligate, he was given to wretched excess in every aspect of his life