as in to pay
somewhat formal
to provide money for (something)
This will defray the costs.
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Recent Examples of defray
Local leaders often do their best to preserve open space and defray the costs that new residents and businesses will inevitably bring.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
These costs are defrayed by the consumption tax—which Takaichi promises to slash on food—and by income taxes paid by a shrinking labor force.
—Jeff Kingston, Time, 15 Feb. 2026
Family members have started a GoFundMe page to defray medical and funeral expenses.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Across the nation, lawmakers are trying out policies to defray costs or provide new forms of help.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
These costs are defrayed by the consumption tax—which Takaichi promises to slash on food—and by income taxes paid by a shrinking labor force.
—Jeff Kingston, Time, 15 Feb. 2026
Family members have started a GoFundMe page to defray medical and funeral expenses.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Across the nation, lawmakers are trying out policies to defray costs or provide new forms of help.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defray
Verb
-
And the Panthers feel safe with the rest of their inside linebacker depth to not have to pay a lot of money to retain a backup, particularly with the way Cherelus played in 2025.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The parents had each paid nine hundred dollars; most had found Squire online.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What’s more, the money isn’t supposed to be used to subsidize basic care, like Childress’ infusion service.—
Caleb Hellerman,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
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There’s a difference between feeding the hungry and subsidizing someone’s sweet tooth.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Abbott was both funding and collaborating on the work, a later publication in a scientific journal shows.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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If so, what is such a large and extravagantly funded force meant to do?—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation has donated a portion of the proceeds to help finance Register internships.—
Des Moines Register,
Des Moines Register,
29 Mar. 2026
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David Drubner, a partner in Southford Park LLC, said the opposition is misguided given the rising costs for financing municipal services and schools — and that is especially true following a recent property revaluation in Middlebury.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defray. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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