1
as in paying
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 consuming
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 wasting
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 spending
The Phillies will likely hold onto Bohm and as a result, will likely avoid spending $200 million on Bregman.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the explicitly and deliberately religious charter school is a state actor, and therefore cannot skirt the state’s constitutional rules against spending public education money for religious purposes.
—Peter Greene, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Be mindful of each other’s needs, be intentional about spending quality time together and learn what truly makes your partner feel valued and satisfied in a relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Researchers have found that spending 51% or more of work time away from others is linked to isolation.
—Erik Pham, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Unless Moscow legally consents that the funds be used for that purpose, key European states will continue to object to spending them for fear of setting a dangerous precedent.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
That $17 million tab includes spending on road, sewer and water improvements to make the site available for other development.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
With the smallest businesses — a key target market for Xero — typically spending nearly half their time on administrative tasks, this is clearly something to be taken seriously.
—Roger Trapp, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
As a result, businesses have gone through a rollercoaster ride, continuously spending on marketing efforts that ultimately fail.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the explicitly and deliberately religious charter school is a state actor, and therefore cannot skirt the state’s constitutional rules against spending public education money for religious purposes.
—Peter Greene, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Be mindful of each other’s needs, be intentional about spending quality time together and learn what truly makes your partner feel valued and satisfied in a relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Researchers have found that spending 51% or more of work time away from others is linked to isolation.
—Erik Pham, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Unless Moscow legally consents that the funds be used for that purpose, key European states will continue to object to spending them for fear of setting a dangerous precedent.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
That $17 million tab includes spending on road, sewer and water improvements to make the site available for other development.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
With the smallest businesses — a key target market for Xero — typically spending nearly half their time on administrative tasks, this is clearly something to be taken seriously.
—Roger Trapp, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
As a result, businesses have gone through a rollercoaster ride, continuously spending on marketing efforts that ultimately fail.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spending
Verb
-
The price Xi’s China is paying is deflation.—
William Pesek,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Medicaid continued to process payments during that time, but Blue Cross Blue Shield stopped paying after a few months.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Customer stickiness comes from consuming more services and, thereby, realizing greater value.—
Akhilesh Tripathi,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Federal and state experts encourage people and their pets to avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat products, as well as raw dairy, to avoid the spread of disease.—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Ignoring the problem or delaying action can exacerbate the damage, giving hackers more time to exploit your information.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
The Jackson 5 single even manages to re-enter the top 10 on one of them, giving the group a proper Billboard smash yet again, with a track that was released decades ago.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Since winning the Big 12 and the Sugar Bowl in the 2021 season, the Bears had two losing seasons in a row, including a 3-9 mark last season.—
Dan Santaromita,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Since losing to Northern Illinois in early September, the Fighting Irish have won 11 consecutive games.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Studies show these reforms—reducing minimum parking requirements, legalizing ADUs, and simplifying permitting processes—resulted in more housing.—
Adam A. Millsap,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
This could ensure more consistent calls, reducing the controversy often seen in high-stakes games.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Taking a look at the cover art really helps with absorbing the concept.—
Eoghan O'Donnell,
Vogue,
30 Dec. 2024
-
Success meant absorbing the abstract pattern and predicting which feeder would open the next day—a feat that may require not just associative learning but executive functioning, which can include the abilities to assess a situation, make plans, and put them into action.—
Matthew Hutson,
The New Yorker,
29 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The company built a retail and residential complex around the county’s Coconut Grove Metrorail station, and Martin also is pitching an incinerator site in western Miami-Dade as an alternative to the Levine Cava plan to rebuild the trash-burning facility in Doral.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Most feature a king-size bed, wood-burning stove, plenty of knotty wood furniture, and fresh white linens.—
Maggie Fuller,
AFAR Media,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The 35-year-old shutdown defender is eating the toughest matchups on the back end, yet continues to deliver elite defensive results.—
Harman Dayal,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Wilds lives up to this side of the series, though Capcom seems to be reckoning somewhat with its meat-eating bloodlust.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spending. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share