costly
adjective
cost·ly
ˈkȯs(t)-lē 
costlier; costliest
2
: made or done at heavy expense or sacrifice
a costly mistake
costliness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of costly in a Sentence
We use less costly materials in our products.
It was too costly to fix her car after the accident, so she decided to buy a new car instead.
They won the game, but their best player was injured, so it was a costly victory.
The decision to wait could be a costly mistake.
Recent Examples on the Web
While East Bay residents undoubtedly appreciate the agency’s focus on zero emission technologies, pursuing two such options (in addition to hybrid diesel buses) is costly because each requires its own power infrastructure.
—
Marc Joffe, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Boeing Striking workers at Boeing voted Monday to accept the company’s most recent offer, ending the costliest strike in the US in more than 25 years.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
In a high-pressure business environment, where quick decisions can lead to costly mistakes, gratitude offers a way to slow down, reflect and make more thoughtful choices.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Over the years, tech titans have incurred costly fines in the millions, even billions at times.
—Adriana Lee, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for costly 
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Marc Joffe, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Boeing Striking workers at Boeing voted Monday to accept the company’s most recent offer, ending the costliest strike in the US in more than 25 years.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
In a high-pressure business environment, where quick decisions can lead to costly mistakes, gratitude offers a way to slow down, reflect and make more thoughtful choices.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Over the years, tech titans have incurred costly fines in the millions, even billions at times.
—Adriana Lee, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for costly
Dictionary Entries Near costly
Cite this Entry
“Costly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costly. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
costly
adjective
cost·ly
ˈkȯs(t)-lē
costlier; costliest
1
: of great cost or value
costly furs
2
: gained at great expense or sacrifice
a costly victory
costliness
noun
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