waste of time

noun phrase

: a bad use of time
The lecture was a complete waste of time.

Examples of waste of time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Yes, many transformative technologies have overcome opposition on their way to broad acceptance, but that doesn’t mean the resistance is a waste of time. Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 If the antibody can’t produce those results, all the troubleshooting will have been a waste of time and money. John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026 Every movie doesn’t have to be the greatest ever made or a complete waste of time. Alan Webber, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 In the United Kingdom, 22% of people call a university degree a waste of time, rising to 32% among 18-to-24-year-olds. Ann Kirschner, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for waste of time

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Waste of time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waste%20of%20time. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster