as in expense
a payment made in the course of achieving a result
the outlays for the couple's upcoming wedding seem to be multiplying at an incredible rate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to spend
to hand over or use up in payment
the nation had outlaid nearly 20 billion dollars on social programs at that point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outlay
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The atmosphere over the show in the UK has been apprehensive, with many in the UK industry skeptical that the series can justify the significant outlay Sky will have put down.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026
Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Linear ratings are in decline and ad demand has been muted for several quarters owing to economic unrest and changes in how Madison Avenue outlays its dollars for media.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for outlay
Noun
The island’s legislature is considering a record defense outlay, but domestic political rivalries threaten to derail that effort.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The atmosphere over the show in the UK has been apprehensive, with many in the UK industry skeptical that the series can justify the significant outlay Sky will have put down.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
Vasquez then asked if the RDA had outlaid any money for LaPorte County for shoreline development.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Linear ratings are in decline and ad demand has been muted for several quarters owing to economic unrest and changes in how Madison Avenue outlays its dollars for media.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for outlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlay
Noun
-
Documents reviewed by the Miami Herald show that only a portion of the funds handled through TourProdEnter can be clearly tied to legitimate AFA expenses.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
An online fundraiser has also been launched by Brown's family and friends to help cover rebuilding expenses.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At thirty-three, Chalker was older than most of his classmates, with more experience professionally and abroad, and he was tapped to spend a day with James Pavitt, then the agency’s director of operations.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
After Brooklyn spent two quarters playing mostly clean, the third quarter got loose.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lillibridge says his costs have already increased 25% since last year.—
Lana Zak,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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The signs opposed the war in Iran, decried the cost of housing and health care, supported Ukraine in its war with Russia and raised the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the Panthers feel safe with the rest of their inside linebacker depth to not have to pay a lot of money to retain a backup, particularly with the way Cherelus played in 2025.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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The parents had each paid nine hundred dollars; most had found Squire online.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The 33-year-old’s contract renewal was hardly the only hefty expenditure the club tied themselves to in 2025.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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For instance, walking at a brisk pace generally increases total energy expenditure and burns more calories per minute.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlay. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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