as in to pay
somewhat formal
to provide money for (something)
This will defray the costs.
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Recent Examples of defray
The winner of this year’s governor’s race will take the helm of a state investment council overseeing a roughly $68 billion state nest egg, including investments that defray costs for K-12 public education.
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Morgan Lee,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Fundraiser helps defray cost of entertainment and city fees associated with Dinner Under the Stars 2026 Season.
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Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
The road to revolution had begun for both in 1765 with the Stamp Act, Britain’s first serious attempt to impose taxes on Americans to defray the costs of the French and Indian War.
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Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
In return, Allen’s company receives most of the commercial spots in the programs, which his company can sell to advertisers to defray its costs.
—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defray
Morgan Lee,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Fundraiser helps defray cost of entertainment and city fees associated with Dinner Under the Stars 2026 Season.
—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
The road to revolution had begun for both in 1765 with the Stamp Act, Britain’s first serious attempt to impose taxes on Americans to defray the costs of the French and Indian War.
—
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
In return, Allen’s company receives most of the commercial spots in the programs, which his company can sell to advertisers to defray its costs.
—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defray
Verb
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Yet despite those struggles, South Africa, one of Africa’s leading industrial economies, remains a destination for migrants willing to take low-paying jobs in domestic work, security and agriculture.
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Democrats say the Republican plan would hurt low- and middle-income Georgians, who would end up paying more in taxes.
Verb
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Under the current initiative, known as the Low-Income Voucher and Equity (LIVE) Program, subsidized one-bedroom rents range from $2,900 to $3,100, while two-bedroom units range from $3,450 to $4,000.
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Governor Kathy Hochul separately slashed the Manhattan shuttle-bus fare from $80 to $20, meaning two of the most powerful governors in the country spent the spring competing to subsidize FIFA, a private organization.
Verb
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Through their foundation, the couple have donated at least $2 million to the medical centers that once employed them, funding early cancer detection and breast cancer technology, among other projects.
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Nearly every large private aerospace manufacturer funds extensive internship programs year-round, although the programs tend to be extremely competitive, and their frequency wanes among smaller employers.
Verb
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Data centers, transmission lines, and power plants are decade-scale commitments, financed today against demand that arrives over many years.
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That could be useful in sectors from biology to finance.
Cite this Entry
“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defray. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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