as in sales
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
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 auctions
Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
There were a handful on view at the concours and auctions this weekend, but, to us, this dazzling cream example was the very best.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
Luxury real estate auctions are becoming more common for distinctive properties that may be difficult to price in a standard listing.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Line dancing, auctions, food and other activities are included.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Every piece in Born Weird Tattoo’s collection has a unique story and its owners have gone through every means to collect them, including estate sales and auctions.
—Idaho Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
The commission oversees spectrum auctions, broadband deployment subsidies, rural connectivity programs, and emergency communications infrastructure.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Allowances are created by the CARB and are allocated to the state’s regulated companies, including refineries, through a combination of free allocations, state-run auctions, and trades on the carbon market.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026
In the years since, there’s never a dull moment for Dunn, who has expanded the business to include online auctions, estate sales, and the resale of firearms.
—Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
But foreclosure auctions are regularly pushed back and can be canceled if ownership reaches a deal with the lender.
—Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
There were a handful on view at the concours and auctions this weekend, but, to us, this dazzling cream example was the very best.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
Luxury real estate auctions are becoming more common for distinctive properties that may be difficult to price in a standard listing.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Line dancing, auctions, food and other activities are included.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Every piece in Born Weird Tattoo’s collection has a unique story and its owners have gone through every means to collect them, including estate sales and auctions.
—Idaho Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
The commission oversees spectrum auctions, broadband deployment subsidies, rural connectivity programs, and emergency communications infrastructure.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Allowances are created by the CARB and are allocated to the state’s regulated companies, including refineries, through a combination of free allocations, state-run auctions, and trades on the carbon market.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026
In the years since, there’s never a dull moment for Dunn, who has expanded the business to include online auctions, estate sales, and the resale of firearms.
—Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auctions
Noun
-
Need more information about these sales?—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The two sides will also step up cooperation between their arms industries as Tokyo seeks to expand its modest defense sales as part of Taikaichi’s plan to further build up Japan’s military capability and arms industry to enhance cooperation with friendly nations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dorian Gray, the Victorian era’s proto-Clavicular, literally exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty—a move that the looksmaxxing community would seem to endorse wholeheartedly.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
19 Jan. 2026
-
The group exchanges little looks.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Chinese donors have gifted a whopping total of $630 million to Harvard in 965 transactions.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The mission is always to serve members’ long-term well-being, not just process transactions.—
Charlyn Tanner,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sweet Caroline swaps the typical dinner-and-drinks routine for something way more interactive.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Reid shares videos of her skating journey to more than 46,000 Instagram followers, and Inclusive Skating swaps coaching tips and competition dates.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Impala Platinum has opened formal talks with Zimbabwe’s central bank and lined up meetings with both the South African and Zimbabwean governments to press for clarity on Harare’s export-earnings policy, its CEO told Semafor, escalating a commercial cash-flow dispute into bilateral negotiations.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
During the negotiations for the stadium, many West End residents recalled the disappointment of Hope VI.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One potential—though untested—workaround would be for conferences, which are private entities, to serve as a joint employer that bargains with a players’ union.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The performers’ union and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of companies like Netflix and Paramount, issued a short joint press release noting that their talks would continue.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The company purchases natural gas from the Transco and Columbia Gas Transmission pipelines connected to major shale production regions, including the Marcellus and Utica deposits which stretch from West Virginia to Canada and the Haynesville deposit which spans Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
-
An entity purchases an aging tanker that would otherwise be scrapped.—
Charles Edward Gehrke,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wayfair’s Epic Spring Sale includes outdoor furniture and patio decor deals up to 83 percent off.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Trade deals risk unraveling after the Supreme Court’s tariff decision.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Auctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auctions. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
