DISBURSE Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

disburse

verb

dis-ˈbərs

Definition of disburse

as in to pay

to hand over or use up in payment the foundation disburses money to many worthy causes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 disburse Proposition 4 would repeal California’s ban on public financing of political campaigns, allowing state and local governments to disburse public funds to candidates. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026 The city still hasn’t executed the grant agreement or disbursed the money, according to Charlotte spokesperson Jason Schneider. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026 Black said the financing is subject to multiple conditions before money can be disbursed. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Fitzpatrick has also unleashed a wave of spending in the race already, disbursing nearly $5 million, according to Federal Election Commission records. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disburse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disburse

Verb

The Wall Street Journal reports that oil producers are paying $30 million to $40 million for round-trip shots in and out of the Strait of Hormuz.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
In most cases, bed and board have to be paid for, but there are a series of daily spending caps on different elements, such as food and hotel costs.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of pay

Verb

And 84% of fans who track players, pundits or creators spent on sport last year, compared with 43% of those who track none.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Davis and Young combined for 31 points in 17 minutes largely, if not entirely, spent on the floor together.

— Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of spend

Verb

Although only group tours are available, there's a free audio app, which gives insight into the collection.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Among Steinbeck purists, giving Cathy a trauma backstory has proven a controversial move — one that just might turn the story’s main moral on its head.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of give

Browse Nearby Words

disburdens

disburse

disbursed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Disburse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disburse. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of disburse

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

outlandish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes