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 23-year-old, boxed out of the Yankees’ Opening Day roster despite spending the entire 2025 season in the majors, was called up from Triple-A on Monday.
—
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Since making their water landing, the three Americans and one Canadian who set out on the lunar journey have been busy, spending recent weeks reuniting with family, debriefing the mission and making media appearances – all while adapting to life back on Earth.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
And despite the price surge, households are still spending less of their budgets on gasoline than during peaks seen in 2008, 2011 and 2012.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Apr. 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
Liam Payne who died in October 2024 Cheryl is spending a day with her son in the Happiest Place on Earth.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Ramírez played in the big leagues for nine seasons, spending eight with the White Sox and parts of a season with the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Guro Reiten is sitting inside her apartment in Norway, in between spending time with her 5-month-old son and packing her life away.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Last week, when the agreement between Arlington and the Cowboys was first reported, some council members and residents argued that spending this much public money should be put to a referendum.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Since making their water landing, the three Americans and one Canadian who set out on the lunar journey have been busy, spending recent weeks reuniting with family, debriefing the mission and making media appearances – all while adapting to life back on Earth.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
And despite the price surge, households are still spending less of their budgets on gasoline than during peaks seen in 2008, 2011 and 2012.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Apr. 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
Liam Payne who died in October 2024 Cheryl is spending a day with her son in the Happiest Place on Earth.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Ramírez played in the big leagues for nine seasons, spending eight with the White Sox and parts of a season with the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Guro Reiten is sitting inside her apartment in Norway, in between spending time with her 5-month-old son and packing her life away.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Last week, when the agreement between Arlington and the Cowboys was first reported, some council members and residents argued that spending this much public money should be put to a referendum.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spending
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Why then hesitate at giving people information about themselves that will actually change their life for the better?—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Zamora supports giving middle and high school communities the option to have an officer on campus at least part-time.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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 6 May. 2026.
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