Definition of expensenext
as in cost
a payment made in the course of achieving a result they spared no expense in building the house of their dreams

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 expense The Special Transportation Fund pays off the principal and interest on the infrastructure rebuilding program while subsidizing public transit costs and operating expenses for the departments of transportation and motor vehicles. John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026 Some days, her job consists of hunting down coaches for traveling expense reports and working with the creative team to produce graphics for recruits. Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026 Some took out loans to meet operating expenses. Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2026 In the summer, even before the signing of Isak, The Athletic estimated these costs had been increased by more than £56m, or roughly 50 per cent more than the club’s 2023-24 amortisation expense. Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expense
Noun
  • During warmer months, when the path is crowded with tourists in leisure mode, anyone who walks with a purpose should avoid the Bridge at all costs.
    Katie James Watkinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • For electricity, that means expanding dispatchable generation, especially natural gas, strengthening the grid, streamlining permitting, and ensuring reliability is prioritized over mandates that raise costs or weaken supply.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In its First Interim Financial Report released in December, LAUSD projected a $877 million deficit — about 14% of its unrestricted general fund expenditures — for the 2026–27 school year, followed by a $443 million deficit the year after.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Additionally, hyperscalers, including Amazon , Microsoft , Meta , and Alphabet , announced capital expenditure of up to $700 billion on AI this year, which has raised concerns over returns and whether the extent of AI spend is justified.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expense. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on expense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!