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
-
Wells pays someone to mow her lawn.—
David A. Lieb,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The state’s Next Level Jobs program pays the tuition for students to take classes for high-demand jobs, Dulin said.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Essential Air Service (EAS) is a federal program that subsidizes airlines to serve smaller communities.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Medicaid subsidizes most of the medical care for children with severe special needs.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Every city that funds these kinds of team-friendly projects follows this script.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In spring 2024, the lab received a $300,000 Biota Award from the Walder Foundation, a Skokie family foundation that funds Chicagoland area environmental research and other initiatives.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The remaining funds, about 11 million euros, will go to Fondation Recherche Alzheimer, which finances scientific programs aimed at understanding the mechanisms of the disease, developing new treatments and improving the quality of life of patients and their families.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Money from these programs finances a dozen or so drinking water projects each year.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrays. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
