at the expense of
idiom
: in a way that harms (something or someone)
Malls flourished at the expense of small stores downtown.
He argues that the tax cut will benefit the rich at the expense of the poor.
Examples of at the expense of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Per the report, this policy would not only expedite the depletion of the Trust Funds by two years but also largely favor wealthier, older individuals at the expense of younger and future generations.
—
Claire Dickey, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Some big changes are now taking place that appear to directly follow the lead of Trump at the expense of company employees and users of the platforms, the people familiar with the matter said.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
But there is something wrong with not making the move the team desperately needs at the expense of at least a push in the negotiation.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
His Hindu nationalist party has sought to turn India – a nation constitutionally bound to secularism – into a Hindu rashtra, or homeland for the Hindu majority, critics say, at the expense of the millions who profess minority faiths.
—Aishwarya S Iyer, CNN, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for at the expense of 
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.
Claire Dickey, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Some big changes are now taking place that appear to directly follow the lead of Trump at the expense of company employees and users of the platforms, the people familiar with the matter said.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
But there is something wrong with not making the move the team desperately needs at the expense of at least a push in the negotiation.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
His Hindu nationalist party has sought to turn India – a nation constitutionally bound to secularism – into a Hindu rashtra, or homeland for the Hindu majority, critics say, at the expense of the millions who profess minority faiths.
—Aishwarya S Iyer, CNN, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for at the expense of
Dictionary Entries Near at the expense of
Cite this Entry
“At the expense of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20expense%20of. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share