cost 1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯst How to pronounce cost (audio)
Definition of costnext
1
as in expense
a payment made in the course of achieving a result the newlyweds spared no cost in building the kitchen of their dreams

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Relevance
2
as in price
the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something we can't afford the cost of a house just yet, so we're renting an apartment

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3
as in risk
the loss or penalty involved in achieving a goal they won the war, but at a terrible cost in lives

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cost

2 of 2

verb

as in to fetch
to have a price of the raffle tickets cost a dollar each

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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 cost
Noun
Under current law, companies must pay the full cost of a wildfire started by their equipment, even if the utility acted reasonably and followed its wildfire plan, which the report said is unusual among states. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026 The board also approved recommendations for new health insurance costs for 2027. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
Sick-visit exam fees cost extra, though, and there's no mobile app. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 Many one-way flights cost 30,000 miles or less per person, plus taxes and fees. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cost
  1. expense
  2. price
  3. fetch
  4. expenditure
  5. fee
  6. bring
Noun
  • Prosecutors said Sherman, from September 2015 through May 2025, stole nearly $18 million from her employer to pay off her extravagant credit card expenses.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Seven Corners offers additional flexibility through its optional cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage, which can reimburse up to 75% of eligible nonrefundable expenses when travelers cancel for reasons that wouldn't otherwise qualify.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of expense
Noun
  • Experts say even lower prices could be a thing in the coming weeks, even though other things are up.
    — Tara Molina, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The vote came as Republicans grapple with the fallout from sweeping midterm losses that some in the party have blamed on the war in Iran and the resulting surge in gas prices.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of price
Verb
  • Benes says ads on phones generally fetch less than ads on TVs, and a short clip has less room for ad breaks than a movie or an episode.
    — Rani Molla, The Verge, 11 Nov. 2026
  • If this is really a hint, Gandalf can’t figure it out and leaves to fetch the rabbit Tom Bombadil has requested.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of fetch
Noun
  • Drawing on publicly available data from IPEDS and College Scorecard, the list measured schools by student-faculty ratio and core expenditure per student, diversity, graduates’ earnings, graduation rate, transfer rate, and campus resources.
    — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The team filed public records requests, scoured government websites, and extracted expenditures, which were then sorted into categories such as treatment or prevention.
    — Aneri Pattani, CBS News, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of expenditure
Noun
  • Those individuals experienced delays in getting to medical appointments, cancellation fees and other issues as a result, the suit said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Compare that to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), which grants primary cardholders and authorized users two free guests to Priority Pass lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club.
    — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of fee
Verb
  • High-quality food aside, aesthetes will also love the way Tsepetis has brought the hotel to life with art and design.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Nov. 2026
  • By bringing sound and visuals together on the same surface, the technology could make viewing experiences more realistic and immersive.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of bring

Browse Nearby Words

cossets
cost
costar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cost. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cost

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cost

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