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.
Related Words
Relevance
as in to merchandise
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of auction
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Horse sales at the world’s largest thoroughbred auction in Kentucky grew by 24% last month compared to 2024.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Also as part of the benefit, Public Assembly will auction off a selection of items including a weeklong stay at a farmhouse in the Hamptons and a weekend stay at an apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, among other items.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for auction
Noun
The annual fundraiser raises money for organizations supporting young people’s access to mental health care and appropriate, expansive resources A charitable auction was held, with performances by Laufey and The Marias.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Horse sales at the world’s largest thoroughbred auction in Kentucky grew by 24% last month compared to 2024.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Separately, the trustee could still auction Jones’s personal property—homes, vehicles, and other assets—to raise funds for creditors.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Also as part of the benefit, Public Assembly will auction off a selection of items including a weeklong stay at a farmhouse in the Hamptons and a weekend stay at an apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, among other items.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for auction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auction
Noun
-
Once the production and sale of recreational liquor became legal again in 1933, the spirit surged in the mid-20th century, slumped in the 1980s and then boomed in the 2010s.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Way Day Decor Deals With Thanksgiving around the corner, now is an ideal time to add an inviting autumnal wreath to your home, especially while there are a variety of options on sale during Way Day.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The assortment entails one-of-a-kind evening jackets rendered in upcycled vintage kimonos, tuxedo pants and silk shirts, and are being merchandised on a rolling basis.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
-
On a recent store tour in Edina, a suburb of Target’s hometown of Minneapolis, Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez pointed out those examples of Target’s fresher approach to merchandise for the fall and holiday season.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Zell and the president of the Zell family office EGI, Mark Sotir, would push Swain to arrange transactions that raised the bar for capturing a share of the profits, but gave the management teams an even bigger score for fabulous results.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Certain transactions listed in Olson’s disclosures suggest Welton was receiving compensation for work related to the former lawmaker’s legislative duties in addition to campaign services.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The 1949 Abducted Persons (Recovery and Restoration) Act provides the framework by which Lajo’s husband and brother return from India to get her; under that edict, India and Pakistan agreed to exchange abducted women.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
-
After a few messages were exchanged, the 31-year-old went to his local Food Lion and ticked away at the items on the mom’s grocery list.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Customers do not necessarily need to have purchased merchandise on Mytheresa to resell it via the Vestiaire partnership.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Thus, instead of returning items to a store, Sharetown enlists freelancers to pick up, clean and resell that bulky item as used in exchange for a portion of the sales proceeds.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For a spirit-free alternative, swap in a N/A rum or whiskey, or add a dash of almond, rum, or vanilla extract instead.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Desiree swapped her Amazon hooks for the Glenn Towel Bar from Ethnik Living after one of her bath sheets pulled a hook clean off the wall.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Architectural Digest,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To plant the cutting or purchased plant, choose a pot that’s at least 8 inches deep and about 10 to 12 inches wide to accommodate growth, with plenty of drainage holes to let water escape.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Wicked is available to purchase and stream now.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That’s true so long as the two sides are bargaining in good faith.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
What were the musicians bargaining for?—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Auction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auction. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share