costly

adjective

ˈkȯs(t)-lē How to pronounce costly (audio)
Definition of costlynext
as in expensive
commanding a large price running is one sport that does not require a lot of costly equipment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 On the military end, the US is burning through weapons stockpiles and deploying costly military assets. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 Most of my work is in retail and consumer goods, where waste is costly. — Charisma Glassman, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Rather than heroic, these costly and horribly uncertain stunts come across callous and cruel. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 This road map gives Hohenbruck the benefits of innovation without letting a promising experiment become a costly distraction. — Harvard Business Review, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for costly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costly
  1. expensive
  2. valuable
Adjective
  • Many tunnels are faster, safer and much more expensive for migrants who would otherwise face increasingly dangerous mountain and desert routes, experts said.
    — Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • This device is undeniably the most capable iPhone ever, as well as the most expensive.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of expensive
Adjective
  • That effort became especially valuable against a Chinese roster built around one of the tallest frontcourts in the tournament.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Offering a globe-spanning, edge-of-your-seat action thriller about shifting alliances and the race for the world’s most precious and valuable assets, the first novel from Lowe is slated for publication by Zando in May 2027.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of valuable

Browse Nearby Words

costless
costly
costs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Costly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costly. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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