cost-benefit

adjective

cost-ben·​e·​fit ˈkȯs(t)-ˈbe-nə-ˌfit How to pronounce cost-benefit (audio)
: of, relating to, or being economic analysis that assigns a numerical value to the cost-effectiveness of an operation, procedure, or program

Examples of cost-benefit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web How might a future crisis over Taiwan, which triggers sharp U.S. sanctions on China, affect Beijing’s cost-benefit analysis regarding a still deeper alliance with Russia? Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2024 For an example of this kind of cost-benefit analysis, consider the policy debate over whether children are better off being raised by two married parents. Marcia Zug, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2024 Without a doubt, there are crucial ongoing discussions, most notably about cost-benefit considerations. Daniel Weiner, STAT, 8 Jan. 2024 Many of these people are affiliated with the philosophical movement Effective Altruism or the somewhat related Rationalist movement—both of which believe in applying cost-benefit analysis to figure out how to lead a moral life. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 And while the specifics of cost-benefit analysis discourse surely shift between a boardroom and the local strip club to which Black Sabbath reportedly brought fresh prints of their tracks to play while recording Heaven and Hell, a cost-benefit analysis of a certain kind was conducted. Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2024 This could come down to simple cost-benefit analyses: Aspiring accountants essentially need five years of college to earn a Certified Public Accountant license. Jo Constantz, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024 So are decision matrices, pros and cons lists, and cost-benefit analyses that can help structure your thinking and bring a more rational perspective to your decisions. Bryce Hoffman, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 The latter could influence cost-benefit analyses of companies looking to open shop in Arizona. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cost-benefit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cost-benefit was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near cost-benefit

Cite this Entry

“Cost-benefit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cost-benefit. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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