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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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
-
Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
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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That hasn’t stopped companies from throwing millions of dollars in bonuses and pay packages at star researchers, according to seven sources familiar with the matter.—
Anna Tong,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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This was a chance for the Phillips family to pay things forward and hear stories like theirs.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
21 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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The board expects to establish authorize another buyback once the existing share repurchase is exhausted.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
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Under the proposal, an undergrad must exhaust their federal loan eligibility before parents can borrow PLUS loans to cover any remaining costs.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Essentially, change fluency is all about an organization’s ability to spot shifts early, absorb disruptions without missing a beat, and turn uncertainty into opportunity.—
Kathleen Walch,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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The towel absorbs up to eight times its weight in water.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Expend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expend. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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