Synonyms of costly

costly

adjective

ˈkȯs(t)-lē 

as in expensive

commanding a large price

running is one sport that does not require a lot of costly equipment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expensive
• valuable
• precious
• premium
• extravagant
• pricey
• high
• luxurious
• priceless
• high-end
• spendy
• dear
• prohibitive
• big-ticket
• steep
• high-ticket
• exorbitant
• unaffordable
• uneconomic
• unreasonable
• overpriced
• ultraexpensive
• invaluable
• deluxe
• inestimable
• sky-high
• sumptuous
• stiff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inexpensive
• cheap
• reasonable
• moderate
• worthless
• valueless
• discounted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of costly

In the end, not kicking field goals in those situations proved costly. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

According to the department, past methods of tracking success have been limited or costly. — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Others sought less costly ways to restore some control over nuclear deterrence. — Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

At the same time, Social Security benefits are becoming more costly as the nation ages, which also contributed to the widening gap between revenue and spending. — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026