DEFRAY Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

defray

verb

Definition of defray

as in to pay

somewhat formal to provide money for (something) This will defray the costs.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

defund

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 defray The family has raised more than $151,000 toward a goal of $250,000 to defray medical expenses, lost wages and household expenses. — Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026 And in Minnesota, state officials have been executing a thorough corrective action plan to defray CMS concerns that have led the agency to defer some $260 million in federal money and to threaten future cuts. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 Not just for the thousands in prize money, not just for the potential sponsorships which will help defray the significant cost of competing, and not even for the opportunities to spin victory into a spice rub empire. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 Some states, including Alabama, California, Colorado and Louisiana offer grants to homeowners to defray the cost of mitigation efforts, Hausman wrote. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for defray

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defray

Verb

The House can move the bill forward without requiring cuts elsewhere to pay for it.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026
The lawsuit alleged that the facility violated the state's minimum wage and forced labor laws by paying detainees $1 a day to work at the facility, sometimes under threat of solitary confinement.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of pay

Verb

To buy their votes for the constitutional amendment (which needs 60% approval statewide), Tallahassee will use state tax dollars to subsidize those rural counties.

— Steve Geller, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
As the government subsidizes these sectors, the price of goods and services rises.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of subsidize

Verb

And expect a fight over whether to reauthorize user fees that fund roughly half the FDA — legislation that pharma considers must-pass and that Sanders has opposed for decades.

— David Lim, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 2026
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the money will help Ukraine fund essential spending on defense and public services.

— Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of fund

Verb

Students and faculty shouldn’t have to finance years of litigation to enjoy the expressive freedoms their universities promise.

— Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Together, those businesses span much of a card’s commercial journey — grading, pricing, storage, sales and even financing against collectibles.

— Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of finance

Browse Nearby Words

defrauds

defray

defrayed

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defray. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of defray

verb

Example Sentences

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