as in sale
a public event at which things are sold to the people who offer to pay the most
She bought the desk at an auction. He made several bids at the auction.
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as in to merchandise
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of auction
Howard Walker, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
Borrowing costs rose last week after a series of bond auctions drew weak demand as investors grew more concerned over fallout from the Iran war.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Although the broadside headed to auction this year doesn’t include a specific printer’s mark, Goldin appraisers believe additional contextual details trace it back to a publisher in Exeter, New Hampshire.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for auction
Noun
Now, after more than 60 years of being the pride and joy of collectors around the world, and just out of an exhaustive six-year restoration by Andy Prill, a renowned classic-Porsche specialist in England, this 550A is heading to auction.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
Borrowing costs rose last week after a series of bond auctions drew weak demand as investors grew more concerned over fallout from the Iran war.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
That leaves the remaining four without a home, though the city may auction them off to the public, Flynn said.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Although the broadside headed to auction this year doesn’t include a specific printer’s mark, Goldin appraisers believe additional contextual details trace it back to a publisher in Exeter, New Hampshire.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for auction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auction
Noun
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Since September — the month when the Office of Cannabis Management issued the first licenses for retailers — sales have exceeded $50 million in total for recreational cannabis, according to state data.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The report counts those smaller store sales separately from the Walmart supercenters.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It’s all curated by owner Sylvie Chateigner, who has methodically merchandised the store by color.—
Clara Giampellegrini,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
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The store’s inventory will come from local closets and be merchandised around upcoming events including Ultra (March 27-29), the Miami Open (through March 29), Formula 1 (May 1-3) and Swim Week (May 25-June 1).—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mathew says that Latitude’s competition is traditional banks who facilitate foreign exchange transactions through legacy rails like Swift.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
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However, some transactions may not process until the next business day.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to investigators, Ghazali was also armed with a rifle and killed himself after exchanging gunfire with the synagogue's security guards.—
Jonah Kaplan,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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His truck went around 200 feet down a hallway of the building, and Ghazali exchanged gunfire with Temple Israel security before he is seen lighting the fireworks.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If an item is newer and still in working condition, manufacturers may refurbish and resell it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Thrifting collections While Audrey Huset didn’t collect thrifted wool skirts to resell them, curating collections is a trend for today’s thrift shopper.—
Molly Guthrey,
Twin Cities,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Another surgery swapped out her breast implants to erase her shoulder pain in 2022, Dishell said, but doctors warned her then that her other pain was unlikely to improve.—
Brett Kelman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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While strawberry shortcakes are usually made with biscuits, this recipe swaps them for tender little cakes baked in muffin tins.—
Victoria Spencer,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For those who drive, parking passes must be purchased in advance (see below).—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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Some commenters begged Fleischmann not to give up, pledging to come in and purchase items if the store reopens.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It’s believed that the list of teams that get competitive balance picks is collectively bargained.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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The military buildup gives the president optionality, not just to strike, but to bargain from strength, Cohen noted.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Auction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auction. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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