how do you handle words with way too many meanings??

Wait how do people deal with words that mean like ten different things? I was looking up this one word and it can mean 'to spend' or 'to waste' or something completely different depending on the vibe? Actually wait is that even the same word? Sorry if this is stupid but do I just memorize every single translation or is there like a secret rule because my brain is literally melting right now trying to flashcard this.