prodigals
Reckless squanderers returning
Prodigals are people who leave home or abandon their responsibilities, often spending money recklessly, before eventually returning.
The word comes from the biblical parable of the prodigal son, who squandered his inheritance then came home to his father's forgiveness.
The term usually implies both wastefulness and the possibility of redemption: The prodigals returned to the family business after years of wandering.
Returning to one's origin
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- reunionGathering after separation
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
- embraceHold closely in arms
restoration · reintegration · forgiveness · acceptance · celebration · fatted calf · father · family
Abundant beyond necessity
- wastefulUsing resources carelessly
- squanderUse up carelessly
- profligateRecklessly extravagant or dissolute
- dissipationGradual loss or scattering
splurge · imprudent · reckless spending · excess · indulgence · hedonism · luxury · opulence
Guilt for wrongdoing
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
sorrow · compunction · confession · ruefulness · chagrin · humiliation · realization · rock bottom
Remorseful rejection of past wrongs
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
penance · absolution · reform · transformation · conversion · renewal · rebirth · recovery
Reckless bravery, unwise daring
- irresponsibilityFailure to meet obligations
- imprudenceUnwise decision-making
- rashnessImprudent haste in action
- heedlessnessFailure to notice danger
carelessness · impetuousness · carousing · gambling · risk-taking · thoughtlessness · shortsightedness · abandon
homecoming
Returning to one's origin
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- reunionGathering after separation
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
embrace · restoration · reintegration · forgiveness · acceptance · celebration · fatted calf · father · family · wanderer
lavish
Abundant beyond necessity
- wastefulUsing resources carelessly
- squanderUse up carelessly
- profligateRecklessly extravagant or dissolute
dissipation · splurge · imprudent · reckless spending · excess · indulgence · hedonism · luxury · opulence · decadence
remorse
Guilt for wrongdoing
self-reproach · sorrow · compunction · confession · ruefulness · chagrin · humiliation · realization · rock bottom · destitution
repentance
Remorseful rejection of past wrongs
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- salvationDeliverance from harm
contrition · penance · absolution · reform · transformation · conversion · renewal · rebirth · recovery · amendment
foolhardiness
Reckless bravery, unwise daring
- irresponsibilityFailure to meet obligations
- imprudenceUnwise decision-making
- rashnessImprudent haste in action
heedlessness · carelessness · impetuousness · carousing · gambling · risk-taking · thoughtlessness · shortsightedness · abandon · waywardness
- returnersalumni, repatriates, homecomers, repeat customers, rehires
prodigalsmisers
Stingy wealth hoarders
penny-pinchers · skinflints · tightwads · savers · cheapskates
prodigalsstewards
Those who manage affairs
ascetics · conservers · minimalists · renunciants · preservers
- prodigal sonsWasteful children who return
- The Prodigal SonParable's repentant spendthrift
- prodigal returnWastrel's return after recklessness
- parable of the prodigal sonStory of forgiven squanderer