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
Even though Diane Bricker doesn’t live in her Ocean City, New Jersey, condo during the winter, the retiree shelled out $698 last month for electricity to keep the heat at 55 degrees and to power the refrigerator.
—
Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
Then the company shelled out $35 million on the theatrical marketing spend, an unprecedented sum considering documentaries aren’t traditionally a driver of big box office dollars.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
Then the company shelled out $35 million on the theatrical marketing spend, an unprecedented sum considering documentaries aren’t traditionally a driver of big box office dollars.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelled out
Verb
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Although he did not get paid time and a half for playing 27 holes instead of the normal 18, a healthy check will come his way Sunday afternoon if Penge can hold his position.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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The ad is the first produced and paid for by Stratton’s own campaign, though her candidacy has been bolstered by millions of dollars in ads from an allied political action committee largely funded by Pritzker, the billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Scottish painter Gordon Coutts built villa Dar Marroc in 1924, using his time spent in the bohemian seaside city of Tangier as inspiration for both the design and the ethos of his new Palm Springs home.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Sky and his wife spent the day sharing their thoughts with reporters from CNN and CBS News, the BBC and NBC.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shelled out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelled%20out. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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