opportunity cost
noun
: the added cost of using resources (as for production or speculative investment) that is the difference between the actual value resulting from such use and that of an alternative (such as another use of the same resources or an investment of equal risk but greater return)
Examples of opportunity cost in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The opportunity cost, then, is significant; administrators must devote a lot of time to make a few million extra bucks a year.
—
Matt Baker, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Providing those services carries opportunity costs, too.
—Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Of course, travelers need to weigh the risks and opportunity costs of doing so.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Your generous heart likely loves to say yes, but everything has an opportunity cost.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opportunity cost
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Matt Baker, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Providing those services carries opportunity costs, too.
—Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Of course, travelers need to weigh the risks and opportunity costs of doing so.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Your generous heart likely loves to say yes, but everything has an opportunity cost.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opportunity cost
Cite this Entry
“Opportunity cost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunity%20cost. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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