costs 1 of 2

Definition of costsnext
plural of cost
1
as in expenses
a payment made in the course of achieving a result the newlyweds spared no cost in building the kitchen of their dreams

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
as in prices
the loss or penalty involved in achieving a goal they won the war, but at a terrible cost in lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

costs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cost

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 costs
Noun
That will add hours to those flights and consume additional fuel, adding to the costs airlines will have to absorb. Cara Rubinsky, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026 The watchdog agency’s panel recommended Friday that the costs of the proceedings be taxed against Peffer, in addition to the 30-day suspension, public reprimand and fine. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026 The monthly giveaway started last year in response to federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and rising grocery costs. Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026 Overhead costs are also higher due to the labor and energy mandates that drive up the costs of operating any business in California including refiners and gasoline stations. Wayne Winegarden, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026 Hawkins says the transformation has reduced costs in other areas. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026 And snowcats require far less overhead costs, so Rintala shuttered the helicopter business in 2014. Brent Rose, Outside, 28 Feb. 2026 Most of those costs need to be front-loaded. Peter Cappelli, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026 Stepanova says the early 2025 rate change was implemented to recover costs associated with upgrades to safety and reliability upgrades to natural gas infrastructure, saying a portion of the update took effect in late 2024. Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
Beyond that, self-parking typically costs $25 per day but may cost more during special events. Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025 Worse, may car owners act like their car only costs the incremental cost of operating it, which can appear be under 5 cents/mile in an EV. Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costs
Noun
  • Cities in decent financial health customarily don’t float bonds to cover operational expenses such as legal settlements and compensation for workers.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
  • But large numbers across income levels also say larger expenses and the cost of things associated with an enjoyable life — including taking a weeklong vacation — are out of reach.
    Isabelle Gibson, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And the countries that closed their airspace will miss out on the overflight fees airlines pay for crossing overhead.
    CARA RUBINSKY, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Still, some council members are leery of adding any new revenue-raising fees after the debacle of charging for parking at Balboa Park and the outcry from homeowners over the trash fees.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • So ticket prices could quickly start to increase if the conflict lingers.
    CARA RUBINSKY, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Right now, members-only prices start at $6—but only for a limited time.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Shorter fetches often create multiple, less intense bands of snow, while longer fetches can produce severe single bands, sometimes with thundersnow, as seen in the longer geographical positioning of lakes like Erie and Ontario.
    Vytas Reid, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Fresh opium now fetches about $329 per kilogram, more than double the 2019 price of $145.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Yet robust growth during the early years of the war, fueled by military expenditures, looks increasingly in jeopardy.
    Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Shipley said that the district’s policy is to have a fund balance of at least 25% of its yearly expenditures, a figure that has to do with when the district receives its revenues and pays its expenses.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Government shutdowns usually need a pressure point to force a compromise that brings them to their end.
    Paul Kane, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2026
  • On Monday, March 16, Tío Tóto's Musical Storytime Adventures brings an interactive kids music show where the audience becomes the band.
    Melissa Grzybowski, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Costs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costs. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

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