as in to pay
somewhat formal
to provide money for (something)
This will defray the costs.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
To defray the lost tax revenue to the government and avoid piling onto the nation’s $36 trillion debt load, Republicans want reduce federal spending by imposing work requirements for some Americans who rely on government safety net services.
—
Mary Clare Jalonick, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Federal money helps to pay those higher salaries, as well as to defray research costs.
—Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 3 June 2025
Republicans should entirely repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and heed Trump’s call for repealing the CHIPS Act to help defray the budgetary impact of full expensing.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 June 2025
There would be an enhanced deduction, of $4,000, for older adults of certain income levels, to help defray taxes on Social Security income.
—Lisa Mascaro, Twin Cities, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Mary Clare Jalonick, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Federal money helps to pay those higher salaries, as well as to defray research costs.
—Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 3 June 2025
Republicans should entirely repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and heed Trump’s call for repealing the CHIPS Act to help defray the budgetary impact of full expensing.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 June 2025
There would be an enhanced deduction, of $4,000, for older adults of certain income levels, to help defray taxes on Social Security income.
—Lisa Mascaro, Twin Cities, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defray
Verb
-
Nobody complains about the way the health care industry forces us to pay high prices for low-quality service.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
-
Tax revenues generated by the project are paying for the millions in infrastructure repair.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Agency funds did much more than subsidize independent media.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
11 July 2025
-
Lawmakers refused to help A year ago, Texas lawmakers rejected a bill to establish a statewide emergency response plan and subsidize protection for rural jurisdictions like Kerr County.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
It is funded by payroll taxes and will continue to provide pay checks.—
Nora Duncan,
Hartford Courant,
11 July 2025
-
The council has set aside $150,000 to fund food distributions and connect residents with legal aid, also approving a requirement that federal agents identify themselves to police when asked.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
The new law also does away with Grad PLUS loans, which help people finance higher education degrees.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
-
Entrepreneurs, business owners and organizational leaders make decisions every day about which banks to use, which funds to invest in and how supply chains are financed.—
Ben Jealous,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defray. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share