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
Howard Walker, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
Borrowing costs rose last week after a series of bond auctions drew weak demand as investors grew more concerned over fallout from the Iran war.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Although the broadside headed to auction this year doesn’t include a specific printer’s mark, Goldin appraisers believe additional contextual details trace it back to a publisher in Exeter, New Hampshire.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for auction
Noun
Now, after more than 60 years of being the pride and joy of collectors around the world, and just out of an exhaustive six-year restoration by Andy Prill, a renowned classic-Porsche specialist in England, this 550A is heading to auction.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
Borrowing costs rose last week after a series of bond auctions drew weak demand as investors grew more concerned over fallout from the Iran war.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
That leaves the remaining four without a home, though the city may auction them off to the public, Flynn said.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Although the broadside headed to auction this year doesn’t include a specific printer’s mark, Goldin appraisers believe additional contextual details trace it back to a publisher in Exeter, New Hampshire.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for auction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auction
Noun
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Since September — the month when the Office of Cannabis Management issued the first licenses for retailers — sales have exceeded $50 million in total for recreational cannabis, according to state data.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The report counts those smaller store sales separately from the Walmart supercenters.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It’s all curated by owner Sylvie Chateigner, who has methodically merchandised the store by color.—
Clara Giampellegrini,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
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The store’s inventory will come from local closets and be merchandised around upcoming events including Ultra (March 27-29), the Miami Open (through March 29), Formula 1 (May 1-3) and Swim Week (May 25-June 1).—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mathew says that Latitude’s competition is traditional banks who facilitate foreign exchange transactions through legacy rails like Swift.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
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However, some transactions may not process until the next business day.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to investigators, Ghazali was also armed with a rifle and killed himself after exchanging gunfire with the synagogue's security guards.—
Jonah Kaplan,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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His truck went around 200 feet down a hallway of the building, and Ghazali exchanged gunfire with Temple Israel security before he is seen lighting the fireworks.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If an item is newer and still in working condition, manufacturers may refurbish and resell it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Thrifting collections While Audrey Huset didn’t collect thrifted wool skirts to resell them, curating collections is a trend for today’s thrift shopper.—
Molly Guthrey,
Twin Cities,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The potatoes nail the candy coating crackle of the original, while sweetened mayo is swapped with an aioli made of saffron, condensed milk and citrus.—
Cesar Hernandez,
San Francisco Chronicle,
27 Mar. 2026
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Whenever Corsight detected his face, it would be swapped for the likeness of Tom Cruise.—
Justyn Newman,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The backstory Bãi San Hô, purchased in 2014 by French hotelier Arnaud Zannier, is the sixth hotel in the Zannier Hotels portfolio–others are located in Namibia, Cambodia and France (another opening in France is set to happen later in 2026).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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Lenney also advocated for controlling the demand side of the market, addressing the housing crunch by restricting who could buy homes by banning large institutions from purchasing them as investments.—
Mark Dee
March 28,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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It’s believed that the list of teams that get competitive balance picks is collectively bargained.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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The military buildup gives the president optionality, not just to strike, but to bargain from strength, Cohen noted.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Auction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auction. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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