EXPENSIVE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

expensive

adjective

ik-ˈspen(t)-siv

Definition of expensive

as in costly

commanding a large price expensive clothing that only the truly wealthy can afford

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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 expensive In short, in the last 25 years, America voted itself a series of tax cuts, waged expensive wars, got older, and then spent its way out of a couple of crises. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 There will always be debate over the value of each club’s season tickets but, with supporters continuing to feel cost-of-living pressures, attending matches is still expensive. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 That's especially expensive in the hot summer months, when fans and air conditioners are running around the clock. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026 Even the property’s most expensive hotel room is a low-key fundraiser for the Dollywood Foundation. — Carlye Wisel, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expensive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expensive

Adjective

Innovation rates are often 70% higher with inclusive design and helps ease costly turnover ranging from 50% to twice an employee’s annual salary.

— Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Fields completed 9 of 12 passes for 64 yards while also taking a costly 20-yard sack on a third-and-goal from the Bucs’ 7.

— Jesse Newell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of costly

Adjective

The simple way to think about this product is a closer integration between Salesforce's library of customers' valuable data and the capabilities of the Claude model.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The term describes how one’s actions have side effects that might be more valuable than the actions themselves, like a bee pollinating the world’s flowers while making honey for its hive.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of valuable

Adjective

Because of the close relationship between land use and food scarcity, there’s also a theory that farmland will only become more precious as the population grows.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
Solid gold is both precious and long-lasting, customers are more intentional with their purchases.

— Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of precious

Adjective

Despite all of this potential economic turmoil on the Canadian side, Carney still concluded that at the end of the day, the cost of acceding to Washington’s extravagant demands was higher than the cost of job losses and strain on a key industry.

— Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Their journey leads them through an extravagant amusement park built on the grounds of a drug lord’s former estate.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of extravagant

Browse Nearby Words

expenses

expensive

expensively

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“Expensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expensive. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of expensive

adjective

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