DEFRAYS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

defrays

verb

present tense third-person singular of defray

as in pays

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

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

defunds

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 defrays That sum effectively defrays the production costs, while providing exclusive access to sports TV’s most clutter-free ad environment. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrays

Verb

China also pays plasma donors, but caps donations at every fortnight, up to 24 times a year – far fewer times than the US, where donors can roll up their sleeves up to twice a week, 104 times a year.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
If their income is between one and two times the federal poverty level, Central Health pays the balance of their monthly premium after federal tax credits have been applied.

— Olivia Aldridge, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of pays

Verb

In simpler terms, a part of your paycheck subsidizes a boomer’s benefits—and according to the Cato Institute’s 2025 polling, only 45% of Americans correctly understand how the program works.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Sanctioning Iranian oil effectively subsidizes the Chinese economy, Cassidy said, by creating a pool of cheap crude that only China is willing and able to snap up.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of subsidizes

Verb

The Dutch health ministry’s scheme for international top-sport events funds one-off competitions rather than recurring ones annually, and caps awards at €3 million.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Prop 42 shields the asset forms billionaires hold, like business interests and financial control, while Prop 40 is the measure that funds Medi-Cal, the program that pays for long-term care when middle-class savings run out.

— Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of funds

Browse Nearby Words

defraying

defrays

defrock

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Defrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrays. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of defrays

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes