as in to pay
somewhat formal
to provide money for (something)
This will defray the costs.
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Recent Examples of defray
Local leaders often do their best to preserve open space and defray the costs that new residents and businesses will inevitably bring.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
These costs are defrayed by the consumption tax—which Takaichi promises to slash on food—and by income taxes paid by a shrinking labor force.
—Jeff Kingston, Time, 15 Feb. 2026
Family members have started a GoFundMe page to defray medical and funeral expenses.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Across the nation, lawmakers are trying out policies to defray costs or provide new forms of help.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
These costs are defrayed by the consumption tax—which Takaichi promises to slash on food—and by income taxes paid by a shrinking labor force.
—Jeff Kingston, Time, 15 Feb. 2026
Family members have started a GoFundMe page to defray medical and funeral expenses.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Across the nation, lawmakers are trying out policies to defray costs or provide new forms of help.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defray
Verb
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Billy Crystal paid tribute to the late Rob Reiner by highlighting the filmmaker’s many notable movies and impact on the industry.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
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The wait times and pay changes are a result of a partial shutdown that began in mid-February after Congress failed to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees TSA.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The American people have subsidized broadcasters to the tune of billions of dollars by providing free access to the nation’s airwaves.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
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Today, the state spends more than $4 billion of taxpayer money every year on vouchers, money that is given to families regardless of their economic need, money that now helps subsidize private and even religious schools.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Democrats balked at funding the agency, while other departments are unaffected, demanding changes to immigration enforcement by federal agents.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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Further, Rouse received additional monetary support indirectly from Pace-O-Matic via the Our States Matter PAC, a federal PAC primarily funded by Pace-O-Matic and people associated with the company.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Social Security is financed by a payroll tax paid for by employers and employees.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
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Unlike traditional banks, private credit funds are financed with roughly two-thirds equity and one-third debt on average.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defray. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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