as in to pay
somewhat formal
to provide money for (something)
This will defray the costs.
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Recent Examples of defray
There are ways, however, that Disney can defray that deficit.
—
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Decker installed a solar panel array to help defray the cost and impact of the electricity used by his computers and crypto mining activities, and submitted a report to SMUD explaining why his usage was elevated.
—Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2025
All five received stipends to help defray their trip costs, Reiner said.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
The first customers for the gadget (introduced in mid-2018) have been parents who use it to calm their children, particularly those with special needs, and students who use it to defray stress during exams.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Jan. 2019
See All Example Sentences for defray
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Decker installed a solar panel array to help defray the cost and impact of the electricity used by his computers and crypto mining activities, and submitted a report to SMUD explaining why his usage was elevated.
—Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2025
All five received stipends to help defray their trip costs, Reiner said.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
The first customers for the gadget (introduced in mid-2018) have been parents who use it to calm their children, particularly those with special needs, and students who use it to defray stress during exams.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Jan. 2019
See All Example Sentences for defray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defray
Verb
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In 2022, things came to a head when the company not only failed to pay its vendors but also ceased communication with their customers.—
Amanda Lauren,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The buyers also agree to pay those growers a small premium that is passed down to their workers.—
Max Blau,
ProPublica,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The socio-economic mechanics of traditional insurance create a distorted landscape, one where disciplined, loss-conscious businesses subsidize the behavior of less responsible market players.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Instead, Indian taxpayers will have to subsidize it.—
M. Rajshekhar,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More significantly, Abu Dhabi funded the development of Russia’s unique Pantsir-S1 medium-range air defense system, receiving units up to three years before the Russian Army even did.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Princeton University runs an apprenticeship program, partially funded by the Department of Energy, which offers training in more than a dozen fields including welding and cybersecurity.—
Liam Knox,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Without visiting a lot or dealership spaces, prospective car buyers can browse inventory, finance their purchase, and arrange a delivery of a car to their home or office, from a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The Sagrada Família was founded as an expiatory church, meaning that it would be financed by prayerful donations from people atoning for their sins.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defray. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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