as in pays
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 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
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrays
Verb
-
The developer later trimmed the number of homes to 99 and agreed that no building permits will be issued until American Homes 4 Rent pays for and installs a traffic light at nearby Faith and Shearer roads.—
Joe Marusak
May 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2026
-
The stadium is being built to make Sacramento a turnkey market for promotion out of the USL, which plays in smaller stadiums of roughly 10,000 fans across the country and pays players a fraction of MLS payrolls.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Because those contributions are deducted at the 37% rate, the IRS subsidizes another $8,510.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Boston Herald,
18 May 2026
-
On Monday, Reuters reported that Tokyo was likely to issue fresh debt for an extra budget so as to cushion the economic blow from the Middle East war as the country subsidizes energy bills.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
His chief policy proposal would exempt people’s first $50,000 in income exempt from the federal payroll tax known as FICA that funds Social Security and Medicare.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
Chevron Richmond currently funds a community air monitoring program that’s managed by a third party and collects air quality data at all times at three stations along its fenceline.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Shortly after beginning his second stint as governor of California in 2011, Jerry Brown began promoting a two-pronged overhaul of how the state finances public schools.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
-
Gem mining also finances ethnic armed groups fighting for autonomy, contributing to Burma’s long-running conflicts.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrays. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
