as in expensive
commanding a large price
running is one sport that does not require a lot of costly equipment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 costly
As the world’s wealthiest nation leads a costly war – one think tank estimated the US is burning through $890 million a day – those who are least able to afford it are feeling the most acute and immediate impact on their wallets.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
This can lead to majorly costly repairs that could have been avoided with some proper maintenance and prep.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
The association further claims the developers engaged in bad faith actions, including inflating operating expense projections by 300-400%, using costly municipal water instead of canal water, installing substandard materials, and failing to maintain access trails.
—Awilda Esteras, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
To diVittorio, the minimum lot sizes are too big — and therefore expensive; setbacks from streets are too broad, eating up buildable land; and sidewalk requirements are too costly, getting passed off to consumers.
—Mark Dee
march 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for costly
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
This can lead to majorly costly repairs that could have been avoided with some proper maintenance and prep.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
The association further claims the developers engaged in bad faith actions, including inflating operating expense projections by 300-400%, using costly municipal water instead of canal water, installing substandard materials, and failing to maintain access trails.
—Awilda Esteras, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
To diVittorio, the minimum lot sizes are too big — and therefore expensive; setbacks from streets are too broad, eating up buildable land; and sidewalk requirements are too costly, getting passed off to consumers.
—Mark Dee
march 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for costly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costly
Adjective
-
Despite being strapped financially, Ruben gets addicted to the expensive process of injections, falling for a number of venomous right-wing podcasts about claiming one’s manhood.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Fuel surcharges will also rise — as shipping companies aim to pass along higher costs to their customers, ultimately making goods more expensive.—
Cathy Bussewitz,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Another common issue is low liquidity, Um says, meaning some households have strong incomes and valuable assets, but relatively little cash available for unexpected emergencies.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Invasive brushes kick out native grasses that make valuable forage for cattle.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costly. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
