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
Charging documents allege 45-year-old Kelley Ann Haley used the club's debit cards for hundreds of unauthorized purchases and ATM withdrawals between 2019 and early 2025, spending the money on personal expenses, including travel, shopping, and utility bills.
—
Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 6 May 2026
That's unfathomably more than in the past election, when spending on the races totaled less than $1 million.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft are collectively spending many hundreds of billions of dollars a year on capex to build out massive data centers filled with AI chips and systems.
—Mackenzie Sigalos,jennifer Elias, CNBC, 6 May 2026
After spending five years with the Duke Blue Devils, Aaron Hall is ready to embark on his NFL dream not too far away from his hometown of Durham.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
The big bet on AI—the near-trillion dollars that hyperscalers are spending to build out the technology’s infrastructure—is predicated on the belief that productivity will skyrocket.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Correa began his career with the Astros, spending his first seven seasons in Houston before departing for the Minnesota Twins in free agency.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
The last of the four is about five months old and is in the zoo’s hospital, spending some of his time in an incubator.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
If a minor is working without a valid permit, spending too many hours at the workplace or performing a job they’re not legally allowed to do, both the child’s employer and parent can be held legally responsible.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 6 May 2026
That's unfathomably more than in the past election, when spending on the races totaled less than $1 million.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft are collectively spending many hundreds of billions of dollars a year on capex to build out massive data centers filled with AI chips and systems.
—Mackenzie Sigalos,jennifer Elias, CNBC, 6 May 2026
After spending five years with the Duke Blue Devils, Aaron Hall is ready to embark on his NFL dream not too far away from his hometown of Durham.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
The big bet on AI—the near-trillion dollars that hyperscalers are spending to build out the technology’s infrastructure—is predicated on the belief that productivity will skyrocket.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Correa began his career with the Astros, spending his first seven seasons in Houston before departing for the Minnesota Twins in free agency.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
The last of the four is about five months old and is in the zoo’s hospital, spending some of his time in an incubator.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
If a minor is working without a valid permit, spending too many hours at the workplace or performing a job they’re not legally allowed to do, both the child’s employer and parent can be held legally responsible.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spending
Verb
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Investors are paying closer attention to who will buy their coins back, at what spread, and how quickly transactions can be completed.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
His journey shaped my belief that hard work, opportunity, strong public education and good-paying jobs are the foundation of a strong middle class.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
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But the method is time consuming and researchers would like to be able to identify the most likely places to focus their efforts.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
-
His question is whether the consuming world has the political will to do the same.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The city is wasting an enormous amount of city funds by trying to maintain the Housing First program, which involves nearly $1 million per unit of housing and a lifetime of dependency by the homeless individual.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
With the cost of living rising, leaders should create relief instead of collecting money, then wasting it through their vast bureaucracy.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
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There, the pair of college students would listen to the trills of saxophones and shake hands with musicians, sometimes giving band members rides to gigs.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
-
How Florida’s new voting maps favor white voters Voting rights groups have criticized the new Florida maps as giving an unfair advantage to the GOP and the white communities that make up the majority of the party’s voter base.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Shane Lowry has the distinction of draining one of the more memorable putts in recent golf history.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Grow crocosmia in moist, organically rich, well-draining soil in full sun to light shade.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Stay calm and adjust without losing your place.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
The Dodgers extended their losing streak to four games with a 3-2 loss to the Cardinals.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Martinez on Thursday did not discuss details of the plan but said the city was exhausting all its options while seeking more ways to cut costs.—
Abby Church,
Houston Chronicle,
30 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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These will compete with strawberries for nutrients and space—worse, cabbage leaves will create shade, reducing flower and fruit production.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
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Supporters of a rescue including labor unions representing Spirit’s pilots, flight attendants and ramp workers said a collapse would put thousands of Americans out of work and hurt consumers by reducing airline competition and increasing airfares.—
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spending. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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