expensive

adjective

ik-ˈspen(t)-siv How to pronounce expensive (audio)
Definition of expensivenext
as in costly
commanding a large price expensive clothing that only the truly wealthy can afford

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 expensive Salesforce has faced criticism in the past for making dilutive and expensive deals, such as the purchase of Slack five years ago. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 Thanksgiving travel is often most expensive for passengers looking to depart the Wednesday before the holiday and return the Sunday afterward. — Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Okay, that sounds nice, but not two houses in Manhattan, owning an Audi, and not thinking Gucci is expensive nice. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 The county hopes the facility will give forest debris a local use, reduce long-distance hauling and make forest-thinning projects less expensive. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expensive
  1. costly
  2. valuable
  3. premium
  4. precious
  5. extravagant
Adjective
  • Bolsonaro made a tough-on-crime approach the cornerstone of his campaign and pledged to bring down food costs while Lula, trying to lure undecided voters, has invested in costly incentives.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Both player's made birdies at the 17th, but a costly miss for Ryu at the 18th allowed Yoshida to clinch it, despite the Japanese golfer also making bogey.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of costly
Adjective
  • The approach is particularly valuable because not every mechanical problem can be easily identified through a visual inspection.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Investors are already measuring the 5-year-old company's potential market cap in the trillions, putting it in a category with the world's most valuable companies.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of valuable
Adjective
  • Pony hair, crafted out of genuine cowhide, is a premium choice, not only because of its distinct aesthetic but also due to the excellence of the material’s quality.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Retailers now sell premium foods, specialty products and household basics under their own names, and the quality often holds up next to the big names.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of premium
Adjective
  • As Eric Dane faced the final moments of his life, his family fought to hold on to every precious moment.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The interplay of precious metals with rubber and leather reinforces the brand’s more casual sensibility, distinguishing it from more formal men’s jewelry offerings.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of precious
Adjective
  • But a new novel by Lucy Foley is setting Poirot aside and blowing the dust off the mild-mannered Marple by whisking her away to an extravagant Swiss Alps adventure.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The ultimate reward isn’t retiring on a beach or buying something extravagant.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of extravagant

Browse Nearby Words

expenses
expensive
expensively
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expensive. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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