1
as in to spend
to hand over or use up in payment
redecoration will have to wait, since we've just expended our last dollar in buying the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to consume
to make complete use of
settlers had to be sure not to expend their supply of firewood before the end of the long winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 expend
The inexperienced chicks interpret the noise as an immediate threat and expend energy trying to evade it.
—
Claudia Steiner, Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2025
The massive amounts of draft capital expended on the defensive side of the ball as the unit descended into the abyss of worst in league history pointed to a litany of busts and second-guessing.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Trump also seems disinclined to expend American resources to maintain the U.S.-led order in the Middle East.
—Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The process of expending off energy makes a dying star what's called a red giant, before the white dwarf remains.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expend
Claudia Steiner, Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2025
The massive amounts of draft capital expended on the defensive side of the ball as the unit descended into the abyss of worst in league history pointed to a litany of busts and second-guessing.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Trump also seems disinclined to expend American resources to maintain the U.S.-led order in the Middle East.
—Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The process of expending off energy makes a dying star what's called a red giant, before the white dwarf remains.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expend
Verb
-
Joabe Barbosa, Matthew Plese and Omar Yousaf spent the day riding the entire MARTA rail system in an attempt to complete the full route in roughly three hours.—
Kaley Fedko,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Visitors can spend their entire trip switching off between the two, but be sure to take some time to explore the rocky cove beaches called calas that have made Costa Blanca famous.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His first time on air, and another chance to change how viewers consume the country’s most popular sport, was only minutes away.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
-
When possible, consume vitamin A through nutritious foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, liver, and eggs instead of dietary supplements to optimize your health.—
Megan Nunn,
Verywell Health,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This means any unpaid amount, whether utilities or other charges, can make an account delinquent because it must be paid at the same time as rent.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Planting a vineyard in the Bay Area can cost between $30,000 and $80,000 per acre, but some are choosing to just leave them sit rather than pay to maintain them.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Check Drainage and Irrigate Poorly draining soil causes root rot and plant failure.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
-
That organization often charges more for its services than county public guardians, which along with fees billed by lawyers working on the cases can quickly drain a person’s savings, the Tribune found.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Others were exhausted from hearing about some of the wealthiest people on the planet barely holding it together.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
15 Jan. 2026
-
But the Beige Book suggested that time may now be nigh, with businesses having exhausted their pre-tariff stockpiles and now have a need to pass the cost increases to consumers.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Due to the inability to absorb adequate nutrients, the body might become malnourished.—
Pamela Assid Woughter,
Verywell Health,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Unlike glossy black, this effect absorbs light in a subtle way, creating a richer, more modern visual texture.—
Andrea Carbajal,
Glamour,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expend. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
