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
Summer hosting season means a lot more time spent occupying your outdoor space, and the best patio umbrellas meet the occasion by gently offering respite against the blazing sun.
—
Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2025
After spending close to $300 million to return Trump to the White House, Musk was poised to have a major role in the administration and be in position to push through regulatory changes in ways that benefited his companies.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Smith has spent the past 15 years actively involved in criminal justice reform in Kentucky, Tennessee and countries in Central America.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
The actor-writer-director, who is 31 and uses they/she pronouns, has spent the last decade or so as a niche internet presence, going viral periodically on Twitter (and then X) and TikTok with satirical front-facing videos and bone-dry one-liners.
—Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spend
Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2025
After spending close to $300 million to return Trump to the White House, Musk was poised to have a major role in the administration and be in position to push through regulatory changes in ways that benefited his companies.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Smith has spent the past 15 years actively involved in criminal justice reform in Kentucky, Tennessee and countries in Central America.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
The actor-writer-director, who is 31 and uses they/she pronouns, has spent the last decade or so as a niche internet presence, going viral periodically on Twitter (and then X) and TikTok with satirical front-facing videos and bone-dry one-liners.
—Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spend
Verb
-
The Guardians are paying him $10 million this year, and Bieber can opt for a $4 million buyout or a $16 million deal for next season.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
That work has given him enough money to pay for car insurance and other expenses, but not enough to move out from his parents’ home.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
For example, in 2024, China supplied 70 percent of all lithium-ion batteries consumed in the U.S.—
Elena Bou,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
Soy is a common allergen, and thus the undeclared ingredient could pose a risk to those with a soy allergy who consume the product.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
One in 4 children under age 5 is stunted, and 8 percent are wasted, with limited access to treatment, according to UNICEF.—
Maryanne Murray Buechner,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
-
In a one-scene cameo, Kyle MacLachlan represents the tough-love alternative as Kate’s exasperated ex-husband, who’s ready to throw in the towel, but agrees to write one last check — well aware his daughter will find some way to waste it.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
But there are few substitutes for availability, and no player has given more to Spurs this season than Porro.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
The former monk also gave specific advice on how to hone in on what's important in life.—
Melody Chiu,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
These unnecessary burdens slow them down, drain their energy, and keep them from reaching their next level.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Reserve forward Obi Toppin helped swing the game, draining five 3s off the bench.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Rosado, 52, is an urban planner and former North Bay Village manager who previously ran for the District 4 seat in 2017, losing to Reyes.—
Tess Riski,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
-
Water depth - The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
The visa expired in February 2023, but Soliman has not exhausted legal efforts to remain in the U.S., according to NBC.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
3 June 2025
-
The object could be a white dwarf—an Earth-sized husk that remains after a star has exhausted its nuclear fuel.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
Hair porosity influences how well hair absorbs water, oils, and hair care products.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
4 June 2025
-
Some heavy metals are introduced through fertilizers and insecticides, while other heavy metals occur naturally in soil and are absorbed by plants.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spend. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share