To cause someone to become wasteful or extravagant in their use of resources, especially money or time. It implies a process of leading someone toward prodigality, often through influence, encouragement, or circumstances that foster such behavior. The term suggests a corruption or degradation of values, where frugality and prudence are abandoned in favor of excessive spending or consumption. It can also extend to the squandering of talents, opportunities, or other valuable assets. The act of prodigalizing often involves a shift in priorities, a disregard for future consequences, and a susceptibility to immediate gratification. It can describe actions that lead to financial ruin, the ruin of a person's work life, or the dissipation of their potential.
Prodigalize meaning with examples
- The wealthy socialite’s lavish lifestyle threatened to prodigalize her impressionable young friends, as they were drawn into a world of expensive parties and frivolous spending. She encouraged them to discard any financial responsibility.
- The inheritance, instead of providing stability, seemed to prodigalize young Mark, leading him to reckless investments and a rapid depletion of his newfound wealth. He lost his moral compass
- The easy availability of credit cards could prodigalize inexperienced consumers, as the lack of immediate financial repercussions encourages excessive spending and debt accumulation. It was difficult for them to see long-term effects.
- The glamorous lifestyle portrayed in the media was seen as a factor in how some might prodigalize the youth of today, with the promise of instant happiness by using new found wealth. They had no regard for real work.
- The company's excessive spending on advertising, rather than investing in its core products, began to prodigalize the profits, eventually leading to financial instability and ultimately their ruin. No one questioned the spending.