SHELLED OUT Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

shelled out

verb

past tense of shell out

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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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 shelled out Even at the height of the Miami’s summer slowdown, one buyer just shelled out more than $27 million for a home in the neighborhood at 790 Lake Rd. — Catherine Odom july 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026 People also shelled out for sleep sprays and mists (with orders up by a whopping 632%) to prepare for a deeper reset. — Vidhi Choudhary, Fortune, 7 July 2026 While many gathered on the National Mall to watch a show Trump promised would break a world record, others shelled out big bucks for rooftop viewing. — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 5 July 2026 Soon after, the e-commerce livestreamer in Hangzhou shelled out $30,000 for his first android and turned it into a rental venture. — John Liu, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 The Kansas City tight end shelled out about $1 million on a 10-carat old mine brilliant cut diamond on a gold band, designed by Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry. — Freya Drohan, InStyle, 30 June 2026 Von der Leyen has said the EU in the first 54 days of the Iran war shelled out 25 billion euros ($29 billion) more to import oil and gas while facing the risk of a longer-term jet fuel shortage. — ABC News, 17 June 2026 Some fans shelled out $250 for parking at the American Dream mall and walked through a tunnel to MetLife, while others hoofed it to the stadium. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 16 June 2026 Chalamet's sold for $1,202 and a buyer shelled out $1,505 for Jenner's. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelled out

Verb

But if your paperwork is approved and your interview is completed, and your fees are paid, congratulations!

— Josie Fischels, NPR, 14 July 2026
Colleges across the country have paid out nearly $3 million to settle three of those cases, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Definition of paid

Verb

Organizing inspection information in one platform could also simplify record-keeping and reduce the time spent comparing data from multiple sources.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Leonard spent the last seven seasons with the Clippers after leading the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of spent

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shelled

shelled out

shell game

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“Shelled out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelled%20out. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of shelled out

verb

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