1
as in to pay
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 to consume
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 to waste
to use up carelessly
spent all his energy on impractical schemes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of spend
The Biden administration's pick, Jill Hruby, spent 34 years working at one of the agency's weapons laboratories.
—
Davis Winkie, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
The president spent his weekend golfing in Jupiter, Fla.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
Levine most recently spent a year as CEO of Kevin Hart’s media company Hartbeat.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
Massey spent the last seven years re-launching the company as president and CEO under Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music Group.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spend
Davis Winkie, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
The president spent his weekend golfing in Jupiter, Fla.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
Levine most recently spent a year as CEO of Kevin Hart’s media company Hartbeat.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
Massey spent the last seven years re-launching the company as president and CEO under Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music Group.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spend
Verb
-
At its heart, the trial was about whether college athletes and former college athletes should be paid more than nothing for use of their NIL in video games and other products.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
From the start of their seemingly happy relationship, her family was impressed by the attention that Booker paid to them.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Melissa tells Shauna that, after learning about adult Natalie’s death on the grounds of Lottie’s doomed cult, she became consumed with guilt and paranoia; after all, her own wife doesn’t know that Melissa knew her mother, let alone probably witnessed her death.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
28 Mar. 2025
-
In the hospitality sector, large hotels consume significantly more energy due to extensive facilities like multiple restaurants, conference centers, and recreational areas, which drive higher energy usage and waste production.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
These are the invisible pillars that keep millions of children from slipping into wasting, stunting, and life-threatening deficiencies.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Baltimore's special purpose funds are easily abused or wasted and city needs to bring tighter control of this longstanding problem.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Delegating is about giving your employees a time to learn, to grow, to shine and to expand while also helping to lighten your load and achieve organizational goals.—
Terina Allen,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Both the city’s ad hoc committee on the 2028 Olympic Games and the full council gave its approval this week to several venue changes, including shifting equestrian events from the Valley to Temecula.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But with Young draining a 3-pointer with 2:45 to play, the Hawks drew within 114-109.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Chirping at opposing fans after draining 3-pointers?—
Jay King,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Since March 2024, Tszyu is 0-2, losing his WBO light middleweight title to Sebastian Fundora by split decision, and most recently, in October 2024, falling to Bakhram Murtazaliev in an IBF title fight by third-round knockout.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The state hopes to attract highly skilled federal workers who have lost their jobs since Trump took office to those positions, the department spokesperson said.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His aunt is exhausted, unsteady on her feet, her eyes red.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
-
The game lasts about two minutes in total before the AI calls it a day, exhausted from generating the worst gaming experience possible.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
As the global economy absorbs Donald Trump's massive tariffs, Sen. Rand Paul is continuing to speak out about the negative consequences of the president's course of action.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Place an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spend. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share