as in spends
to hand over or use up in payment
we shelled out an obscene amount of money for those concert tickets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 shells out
Google already shells out billions to Apple each year to be the default search engine on iPhones.
—
Samantha Subin, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Samantha Subin, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shells out
Verb
-
WalletHub estimates the average person spends about $200 on Valentine’s Day.—
Katey Psencik,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Even a stretch of sub-zero weather like one in late January and early February won’t harm the black-legged tick, the Lyme disease-carrying species that should be familiar to anyone who spends time outdoors in Rhode Island.—
Alex Kuffner,
The Providence Journal,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Whoever leaves last probably pays.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
An impressive wine list pays tribute to the late Melvyn Master, Waxman's esteemed sommelier and former partner (the restaurant’s name comes from Jonathan and Melvyn).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The bill also gives the legal right to anyone who is harmed by such material to seek a remedy and bring an action against the entity that distributed the material.—
Mohamed Suliman,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Health Benefits of Turmeric Latte The primary compound in turmeric, curcumin, gives turmeric lattes their bright yellow color.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shells out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shells%20out. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
