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
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
The shelter tab represents the second full fiscal year that Massachusetts taxpayers have shelled out larger-than-normal sums to house homeless families after a surge of migrant arrivals pushed the emergency assistance shelter system to a bursting point.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Key Facts LimeWire CEO Julian Zehetmayr, who helped acquire the company in 2022, told the Wall Street Journal his company shelled out $245,000 to win the rights to the Fyre Festival.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
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
The shelter tab represents the second full fiscal year that Massachusetts taxpayers have shelled out larger-than-normal sums to house homeless families after a surge of migrant arrivals pushed the emergency assistance shelter system to a bursting point.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Key Facts LimeWire CEO Julian Zehetmayr, who helped acquire the company in 2022, told the Wall Street Journal his company shelled out $245,000 to win the rights to the Fyre Festival.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelled out
Verb
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At the world premiere of Margot Robbie's buzzy new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, the Australian actress paid tribute to Elizabeth Taylor's legendary Hollywood romance with Richard Burton by donning Taylor's iconic Cartier Taj Mahal necklace on the red carpet.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
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The board paid 50 building engineers and 123 cafeteria workers who volunteered to clean schools this month as a stopgap after the two contract rejections.—
Bri Hatch,
Chalkbeat,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Beijing has spent decades growing its trade ties and bankrolling projects in the region, to boost transportation links and cut energy costs – cementing its own influence along the way.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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The massive installation was created by German artist Benjamin Klapper, who spent more than a month assembling the sculpture in a bid to break a Guinness World Record.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shelled out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelled%20out. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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