as in sale
a public event at which things are sold to the people who offer to pay the most
She bought the desk at an auction. He made several bids at the auction.
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as in to merchandise
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of auction
Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
On June 2, Sotheby’s in New York attempted to stage a private auction for Number 19, 1951, an oil and enamel masterwork by abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock, but the sale failed to launch after the auction house wasn’t able to attract enough bidders, according to a report from Artnews.
—News Desk, Artforum, 8 June 2026
A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
The New York opinions (79 Madison and 245 Park Member) set out two requirements for what is known as a direct turnover order, which means that the interest goes directly the creditor and not to auction.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for auction
Noun
Even by Swiftie standards, this auction is kinda cheeky.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
On June 2, Sotheby’s in New York attempted to stage a private auction for Number 19, 1951, an oil and enamel masterwork by abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock, but the sale failed to launch after the auction house wasn’t able to attract enough bidders, according to a report from Artnews.
—News Desk, Artforum, 8 June 2026
Verb
If the taxes go unpaid after three years, the county would auction off the property deed to the highest bidder and the original homeowner can petition to get the post-debt profits.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
The New York opinions (79 Madison and 245 Park Member) set out two requirements for what is known as a direct turnover order, which means that the interest goes directly the creditor and not to auction.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for auction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auction
Noun
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Here are this week’s Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers for nonfiction, based on sales in hundreds of independent bookstores nationwide, generously provided by the American Booksellers Association.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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In 2024, Cooper signed a multiyear deal with SiriusXM, encompassing ad sales, distribution and more.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Bayfront is not a luxury center, but Cohen plans to re-merchandise it with new tenants that would make compatible neighbors for Barneys.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
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The Squeeze team has merchandising, a popular social media presence and tons of support across the country.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
Noun
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The transaction was completed on March 30.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
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In their place, FIFA launched its own official resale marketplace—and charged both buyers and sellers a 15% fee, effectively collecting $30 for every $100 in resale transactions on its platform.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The players could be seen exchanging words throughout their match-up and, at one point during the second quarter, Harrison swatted at the ball being held by Reese after play had already been stopped.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
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Now, billions of dollars are exchanged on the platform every year, and 2025 was no exception.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
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The same modernization work that built the Indian IT services industry is now being automated by the hyperscalers these firms resell.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Those scammers can then resell the gift card details at a discount on gray-market sites to effectively launder the funds, creating an anonymous and hard-to-trace form of payment.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Best known for swapping rifles for cameras; transitioning the family’s operations from big-game hunting to wildlife conservation and photographic tourism.—
Sarah Kingdom,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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That leaves just 15% who are all in on swapping a prospect or three for a few months of the two-time Cy Young winner, who’s slated to return from injury this weekend.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Cycling is a particularly big part of the culture of The Netherlands and several other countries coming to Kansas City for the World Cup — the Dutch national team purchased 17 bikes from Midwest Cyclery prior to the event.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
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Organizations purchased systems to augment human labor.—
Srini Attili,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The discharge petition forced a vote on the Faster Labor Contracts Act, a bill requiring employers to bargain within 10 days of union certification to prevent employers from stalling first-time union contracts.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
9 June 2026
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Before Haynes bargained with vascular surgeon Dua to have a smoke, Mark Picard, 53, was telling his story to podiatric surgeon Sara Rose-Sauld.—
Elizabeth Cooney,
STAT,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Auction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auction. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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