1
as in paying
to hand over or use up in payment
I always end up spending too much money at the mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in consuming
to make complete use of
the town has already spent its budget for snow removal, and it's only January
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wasting
to use up carelessly
spent all his energy on impractical schemes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spending
The airline was also trying to bring in higher-spending customers with bigger seats and bundled fares to compete with rival airlines.
—
Bri Buckley, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday, Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius announced that the Netherlands was spending 248 million euros ($292 million) on drones for the Ukrainian military.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
With the overstuffed look of your favorite sofa, this outdoor lounger is ideal for spending hours in the sun, leaning against the rounded arms on a lazy afternoon.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026
According to Charles Schwab, nearly 40% of individuals with $1 million-plus investible assets say travel will be their luxury spend, even as spending on traditional luxury goods softens.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2026
Guard Denzel Aberdeen also announced his surprising return after spending last season at Kentucky.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
After spending months in detention, a court ordered Zia's release at the end of last year.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Then played two years at USC before spending last year at Oregon.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
According to Bank of America Global Research data released in February, spending growth for especially Gen Zers and, to a lesser extent Millennials, was higher for fitness activities than for bars.
—Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Bri Buckley, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday, Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius announced that the Netherlands was spending 248 million euros ($292 million) on drones for the Ukrainian military.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
With the overstuffed look of your favorite sofa, this outdoor lounger is ideal for spending hours in the sun, leaning against the rounded arms on a lazy afternoon.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026
According to Charles Schwab, nearly 40% of individuals with $1 million-plus investible assets say travel will be their luxury spend, even as spending on traditional luxury goods softens.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2026
Guard Denzel Aberdeen also announced his surprising return after spending last season at Kentucky.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
After spending months in detention, a court ordered Zia's release at the end of last year.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Then played two years at USC before spending last year at Oregon.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
According to Bank of America Global Research data released in February, spending growth for especially Gen Zers and, to a lesser extent Millennials, was higher for fitness activities than for bars.
—Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spending
Verb
-
Alan’s brother, Merrill Osmond, 72, was among those paying tribute.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Wrestlers operated as independent contractors, and this allowed the McMahons to avoid paying benefits.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What mattered was the relationship between the people creating the content and the audience consuming it.—
Jonathan Hunt,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
With the new Iran war consuming international attention and Israel escalating strikes in Lebanon, diplomatic pressure for meaningful progress in Gaza has dramatically weakened.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dunk’s blemishes against Liverpool were compounded by an unfortunate yellow card for time wasting in the closing stages when referee Darren England decided too long had been taken with Verbruggen over a goal kick.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Many complained about time-wasting technology platforms.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 2022, researchers concluded that Neanderthals and humans lived alongside each other in France and Spain for up to 2,900 years, giving them plenty of time to potentially learn from or even breed with each other.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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As was the case with the white-and-green dress for her Pakistan tour, Elizabeth, in her fashion choices, sought not only to avoid giving offense but to offer symbolic ingratiation, and among the most fascinating garments on display are those representing diplomatic dressing.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East is actively draining the American wallet.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The perfusionist questioned the decision to stop disinfecting the units, saying his concern with draining was that if the tanks weren’t completely dry and still contained moisture, bacteria could form.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
McIlroy at least steadied himself after losing the lead.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The overwhelming grief of losing a child became even worse when a detective gave her a notebook from Audree’s locker.—
Meena Duerson,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In some ways, the Wolfpack were already destined for a reset, with veterans like Tre Holloman, Darrion Williams, Quadir Copeland and Ven-Allen Lubin all exhausting their eligibility.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, America seems to be exhausting itself and its arsenals in the Middle East.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The station initially bridged the sudden budget gap last year by reaching out to donors directly and reducing costs to bring down overhead.—
Savannah Sicurella,
AJC.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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The ship suffered substantial damage, and the Reagan administration retaliated by damaging or sinking three Iranian warships and three oil platforms, drastically reducing Tehran’s ability to engage in the gulf.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spending. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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