1
as in to pay
to hand over or use up in payment
I always end up spending too much money at the mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to consume
to make complete use of
the town has already spent its budget for snow removal, and it's only January
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to waste
to use up carelessly
spent all his energy on impractical schemes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spend
Progressives across the country have spent years arguing that unlimited outside spending distorts democracy, empowers wealthy interests, and undermines trust in government.
—
Julie Won, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Sticky skin glistened from a long day spent bouncing between stages, making every cool breeze feel like a small gift.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 14 June 2026
But the whistleblower has also had both civil and criminal charges leveled against him, forcing him to spend the last 10-plus years living in exile in Russia.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Born in Yokohama and raised in Kobe, Homma has spent 14 years cooking in Italian kitchens, and built a menu around what's known as cicchetti alla giapponese, small plates that lean on the same Rialto market ingredients as Venice's classic osterie but arrive seasoned with soy and Japanese technique.
—Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spend
Julie Won, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Sticky skin glistened from a long day spent bouncing between stages, making every cool breeze feel like a small gift.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 14 June 2026
But the whistleblower has also had both civil and criminal charges leveled against him, forcing him to spend the last 10-plus years living in exile in Russia.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Born in Yokohama and raised in Kobe, Homma has spent 14 years cooking in Italian kitchens, and built a menu around what's known as cicchetti alla giapponese, small plates that lean on the same Rialto market ingredients as Venice's classic osterie but arrive seasoned with soy and Japanese technique.
—Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spend
Verb
-
Janet agreed to pay over $8,600 in restitution and complete 150 hours of community service.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
-
In early times, most humans barely paid attention to weather calamities because the region was so sparsely populated.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The fact that it was conceived without thought and for decades was produced and consumed without thought is immaterial.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
20 June 2026
-
Treat Infestations Sprinkling a mix of equal parts borax and sugar can help get rid of bugs like ants and roaches (they’ll be attracted to the sugar and die after consuming the borax).—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
Verb
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True to the resourceful roots of Southern and Black cuisine, Chef Caldwell ensures nothing goes to waste in his kitchen.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
Banana peels are packed with nutrients that go to waste when simply tossed in the trash.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Seven years later, the FDA has given Colorado the go-ahead, but there's still a lot to be done.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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From a box-score perspective, Brind’Amour’s case ranks similarly to that of Rick Tocchet, Bill Guerin and Ray Whitney, who are all unlikely to be inducted given other sure-thing candidates about to retire around the league.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The hotel’s wellness center offers Ayurvedic herbal scrubs, Reiki, hydrotherapy, lymphatic draining massages, colonics and acupuncture.—
Sandra Guzmán,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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One hundred and twenty-six supporters lost their lives after police fired tear gas into the terraces following two late goals from Hearts of Oak in a game against Asante Kotoko.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
The Royals have lost six of their last seven games.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Her blood loss was reportedly so severe that the hospital exhausted its supply of her blood type during treatment.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
-
Jones countered with more than $25 million from his own family fortune, fueling a contest that left both candidates bruised and voters exhausted.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Experts also speculate that the darker blue color may be helping the Reflecting Pool absorb more heat.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a mistake earlier that led to Mexico's goal and 1-0 lead, but Kim just kept his team down just one goal after saving a hard shot in the 71st minute by absorbing a hard shot from Raúl Jiménez to his chest and face.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spend. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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