as in paid
to hand over or use up in payment
we shelled out an obscene amount of money for those concert tickets
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Recent Examples of shelled out
The Pentagon has shelled out nearly $5 billion over the past year to spur mining.
—
Didi Tang, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
The Pentagon has shelled out nearly $5 billion over the past year to spur mining.
—Didi Tang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
His organization has shelled out over $1 billion in aid to Ukraine, as well as large sums for agricultural development in Africa, and Central and South America.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Hyperscalers Amazon, Meta Platforms and Microsoft have shelled out billions on AI products, tools and infrastructure for their customers.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
As of now, that would mean a buyout of more than $60 million—a mark nearly on par with what LSU shelled out to get rid of Brian Kelly.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 19 Dec. 2025
According to Democrats on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, each family in the United States has shelled out nearly $1,200 in tariff costs over the past 10 months alone.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
The Broncos promptly shelled out $35 million across three years for Dre Greenlaw, and Strnad faded back into the background.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
The Cowboys, who have shelled out massive amounts of money to players like quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, didn't want to invest heavily in Dowdle at any point during his four-year run with the team.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Didi Tang, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
The Pentagon has shelled out nearly $5 billion over the past year to spur mining.
—Didi Tang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
His organization has shelled out over $1 billion in aid to Ukraine, as well as large sums for agricultural development in Africa, and Central and South America.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Hyperscalers Amazon, Meta Platforms and Microsoft have shelled out billions on AI products, tools and infrastructure for their customers.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
As of now, that would mean a buyout of more than $60 million—a mark nearly on par with what LSU shelled out to get rid of Brian Kelly.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 19 Dec. 2025
According to Democrats on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, each family in the United States has shelled out nearly $1,200 in tariff costs over the past 10 months alone.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
The Broncos promptly shelled out $35 million across three years for Dre Greenlaw, and Strnad faded back into the background.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
The Cowboys, who have shelled out massive amounts of money to players like quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, didn't want to invest heavily in Dowdle at any point during his four-year run with the team.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelled out
Verb
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Attorneys are expensive, while Lake County taxpayers paid for what many saw as a case of prosecutorial overreach.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Ross already paid $7 million of Jalen Ramsey’s $26 million salary last season to facilitate a trade that helped Miami land Minkah Fitzpatrick.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Nebraska, meanwhile, has spent the last quarter-century chasing memories.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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The nurses in the Pitt have spent the most time with Louie over the years, and his death would hit them hard.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shelled out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelled%20out. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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