1
as in to purchase
to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for
I really want to buy that new book, but I don't have enough money right now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bribe
to influence someone with a bribe
there were rumors that the mobster had bought the judge
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to believe
to regard as right or true
if you buy that story, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn you might be interested in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in steal
something bought or offered for sale at a desirable price
four cartons of ice cream for four dollars is a real buy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 buy
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
In some states, Powerball tickets can be bought online depending on local jurisdiction.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
The ads have run for three weeks so far, out of a four-week ad buy.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for buy
Verb
Napfun Neck Pillow With over 10,000 bought in the past month alone, this neck pillow has clearly earned its fan base.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
In some states, Powerball tickets can be bought online depending on local jurisdiction.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
Follow our guide to starting your own no-buy pantry challenge.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
The ads have run for three weeks so far, out of a four-week ad buy.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for buy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buy
Verb
-
Alongside fellow co-owner John Mara, Tisch assumed control of the team in 2005 after his father had purchased a majority stake in the team in 1991.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Biden purchased the bracelet but sent the vase to the archives.—
MATTHEW LEE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But now, federal prosecutors say Hennen is the fixer behind the biggest point-shaving scandal in history, accused of bribing 39 college players, corrupting 17 programs and fixing — or trying fix — 29 games to enrich himself and other gamblers.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Weeks before our big day, my parents repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away the rights to my name, which would have affected me, my wife, and our future children.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The second device is believed to be Wi-Fi powered, according to officials.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Grams, Starbucks’ chief operating officer, said the company firmly believes its best way forward is not drive-thru-only stores or mobile pickup kiosks.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Fowler, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks, three steals and two assists.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Cece Levrault finished with 17 points while adding five assists and four steals, as Apponequet (13-1) captured the South Coast Conference title for a fourth straight year with a 64-38 win over Old Rochester.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Liam’s father does not appear to have a criminal record in Minnesota, according to Prokosch.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
-
This rare metal has isotopes — atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons and varying stability — known to have nuclei with complex structures and shapes.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Saman said some of the wounded who were hospitalized, including one of his friends who was shot in his calf, were then taken into custody by the regime's forces.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
These recommendations are based, in part, on studies that have found higher relapse rates among those who stop taking the medication versus those who do not.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But in a zero-sum world, where more money spent on incarceration means less money available for California’s growing network of trauma recovery centers, that’s a bad bargain.—
Kathy Brown-Lowe,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Another reason is that sectors of the US economy continue to rest on an implicit bargain between the government, employers, and migrants.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Orphans and widows do not often accept the wider geopolitical need for their immediate grief.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Goldis, wanting to accept the invitation, requested prior approval in accordance with the policy, but the NYAG’s office denied her petition.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buy. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
