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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expend
The test firing lasted for more than two minutes, completing a full burn and expending all of its propellant as would happen during a launch.
—
Daniel Larlham, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
In multiple rounds of diplomacy in 2014 and 2015, after Russia’s takeover of Crimea and incursion into Ukraine’s Donbas region, France and Germany expended more effort on a cosmetic cessation of hostilities than on solving the underlying problems of regional security.
—Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2025
Despite being a mere 10 million years old, Betelgeuse is already nearing the end of its mighty existence, having already expended most of its hydrogen reserves needed to fuel the fusion reaction that prevents the gigantic stellar body from collapsing in on itself.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The club won the American League West but expended too much energy climbing out from its catastrophic start.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expend
Daniel Larlham, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
In multiple rounds of diplomacy in 2014 and 2015, after Russia’s takeover of Crimea and incursion into Ukraine’s Donbas region, France and Germany expended more effort on a cosmetic cessation of hostilities than on solving the underlying problems of regional security.
—Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2025
Despite being a mere 10 million years old, Betelgeuse is already nearing the end of its mighty existence, having already expended most of its hydrogen reserves needed to fuel the fusion reaction that prevents the gigantic stellar body from collapsing in on itself.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The club won the American League West but expended too much energy climbing out from its catastrophic start.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expend
Verb
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Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Residents of the 8th Congressional District spend an average of 13% of their household income on energy — the highest in the state, according to Department of Commerce data.—
Tom Olsen,
Twin Cities,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Arepas are corn pancakes that can be consumed on their own or with an array of garnishes and fixings.—
Cat Sposato,
AFAR Media,
15 May 2025
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The children who consumed the cookies were transported to Christ Hospital and have since been released, according to WFLD.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
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In 2017, the county paid $100,000 for NCCHC consultants to tour its four largest jails and flag any deficiencies that would keep the sheriff from earning accreditation.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
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In April 2023, Fox News Media paid a $787.5 million settlement and acknowledged that statements were false.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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These clocks will, unfortunately, drain your batteries a little quicker but probably not fast enough to really take notice.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
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They’re emotionally drained, exhausted by the mental gymnastics that have such a profound effect on their franchise’s direction.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2025
Verb
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To the elderly and those already exhausted by their efforts to get this far, this simply became an insurmountable barrier.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
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After exhausting the questions, Witt posed for a picture with the entire class.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2025
Verb
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The experience felt a little like getting unexpectedly absorbed in a trashy episode of reality TV, but also like suddenly realizing that a conversation that started in the shallows of small talk has at some point drifted into the deep waters of meaning.—
Peter C. Baker,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
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The government would absorb or benefit from any difference.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Expend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expend. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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