Synonyms of shell out

shell out

verb

as in to spend

to hand over or use up in payment

we shelled out an obscene amount of money for those concert tickets

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spend
• pay
• lay out
• give
• fork (over, out, or up)
• expend
• disburse
• outlay
• drop
• run through
• throw away
• rain
• lavish
• waste
• fritter (away)
• blow
• dissipate
• squander

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• save
• lay up
• make
• realize
• secure
• win
• acquire
• gain
• cache
• hoard
• earn
• procure
• garner

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shell out

Those willing to shell out the most were Gen Zers ($7,856), followed by Gen Xers ($6,347). — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2026

Both Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United have shelled out over £100million on new players but each, and particularly the latter, have recouped plenty too. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026

OpenAI shelled out some serious cash to host about 30 internet personalities at a luxury resort called Wildflower Farms in upstate New York over the weekend. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

That’s a fraction of what studios typically shell out to promote films. — Brent Lang, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026