as in to pay
somewhat formal
to provide money for (something)
This will defray the costs.
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Recent Examples of defray
In the months prior to the actor’s death, Finn’s friends launched a GoFundMe page on behalf of the family to help defray medical costs.
—
Greg Evans, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2025
The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help defray the huge financial burden for Jenna and her husband Matthew.
—Josh Mankiewicz, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Those who move to New York or other big metro areas with similar aspirations may take steps to try to defray the high cost of living, Garrett said.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
To defray those costs, the state has awarded another $400 million in tax credits to 1888 Studios.
—Andrew Rice, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Greg Evans, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2025
The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help defray the huge financial burden for Jenna and her husband Matthew.
—Josh Mankiewicz, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Those who move to New York or other big metro areas with similar aspirations may take steps to try to defray the high cost of living, Garrett said.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
To defray those costs, the state has awarded another $400 million in tax credits to 1888 Studios.
—Andrew Rice, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defray
Verb
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Judges in counties with the program have a list of OFR attorneys who can be contacted and paid through legislative appropriations, rather than through court funds.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
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Anderson paid tribute to the assistant director Adam Somner, who died in 2024 at 57 from thyroid cancer.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In our view, Boise State and San Diego State, in particular, had grown weary of subsidizing the lower-value, sporadically competitive schools in the Mountain West.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
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Gratuity should reward exceptional service, not subsidize inadequate base wages.—
Ricardo Cici,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Much of the Department of Homeland Security is set to run out of money Saturday morning after negotiations stalled between the White House and congressional Democrats over new restrictions on federal immigration agents and lawmakers left town without funding the department.—
Riley Beggin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The governor’s office said his international travel is paid for by the California State Protocol Foundation, a nonprofit that is funded primarily by corporate donations and run by a board Newsom appoints.—
Melody Gutierrez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The society’s scholarships are available to high school students or adult learners to assist in financing college, graduate school or technical school tuition.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
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The Elaf Fund aims to finance large-scale projects in Syria with participation from Saudi private-sector investors, Falih added.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defray. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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