outlay 1 of 2

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌlā How to pronounce outlay (audio)
Definition of outlaynext
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

outlay

2 of 2

verb

ˈau̇t-ˌlā How to pronounce outlay (audio)
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

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 outlay
Noun
Big Tech’s historic AI outlays, set ‌to top $700 billion this year, are piling pressure on companies to show returns from the technology and offset the rising cost of rolling it out across their businesses. — Reuters, NBC news, 6 July 2026 The City Council also approved increasing the Police Department’s capital outlay budget by $100,000 to purchase a patrol vehicle for the new officer and increasing the operating budget by $15,800 for equipment. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
Verb
Microsoft plans to outlay $4 billion in the next five years worldwide. — Paresh Dave, Wired News, 24 Dec. 2025 Vasquez then asked if the RDA had outlaid any money for LaPorte County for shoreline development. — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlay
  1. expense
  2. spend
  3. cost
  4. pay
  5. expenditure
Noun
  • The story goes that given the expense of the ground-breaking CGI used in the film, producers were looking to hire a relatively unknown (to summer blockbuster audiences, that is) actor for the role of Grant, with Neill winning the part.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026
  • The district’s expenses are outpacing incoming revenue; there is no cash reserve cushion.
    — Jennifer Custer, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Definition of expense
Verb
  • However, Morehouse, who has spent more than a decade campaigning for the return of American children abducted to Japan, doubts the amendment to Japan’s Civil Code will bring significant change.
    — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
  • Berman, who spent 13 years as the NHL’s deputy general counsel and VP of community development, helped the league provide a grant for that program.
    — PJ Green July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
Definition of spend
Noun
  • Kovich said attracting new development will ultimately be key to lowering rates further by spreading the cost of the water system across more customers.
    — Nina Burns, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Four refineries have closed in California so far this decade because of environmental regulations and high costs.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of cost
Verb
  • Lucas said each year the City Council allocates more than 25% of its annual operating revenue to fund the Police Department, yet the agency struggles each year with paying legal settlements.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
  • But if your paperwork is approved and your interview is completed, and your fees are paid, congratulations!
    — Josie Fischels, NPR, 14 July 2026
Definition of pay
Noun
  • As the large inefficient buses are phased out, this would significantly reduce the capital expenditures that Lynx requires.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026
  • The primary concern stems from Meta's massive, uncertain AI investments, including up to $145 billion in capital expenditure and $107 billion in contractual commitments, with management acknowledging an unclear path to profitability.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of expenditure

Browse Nearby Words

outlaws
outlay
outlaying
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlay. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on outlay

Nglish: Translation of outlay for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of bibelot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All