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
-
There was some confusion about whether JT had paid her back.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Peppermint tea is one easy way to consume peppermint.—
Julie Marks Published,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The protests specifically targeted the rapid downsizing and cuts to waste in the federal government.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Apr. 2025
-
But while the fine dining scene is flourishing, the everyday staples still tell a story of hardship, frugality, and a desire to waste nothing.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 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
-
Until then, the negative effects of import taxes such as rising unemployment and a slowing economy will drain trillions of dollars from the revenues the administration hopes to raise.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Former President Joe Biden drained the reserve of more than 40% of its capacity when gas prices reached record highs, averaging more than $5 a gallon across the U.S. in June 2022.—
Dan McCaleb | The Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Apr. 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
-
To date, Craven has lost 62 pounds in the last year which includes 12 inches off her waist; the grandma of two went from a size 26 down to a size 14.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
His aunt is exhausted, unsteady on her feet, her eyes red.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
For every celebrity with a vape in hand, journalists in the crowd absorbed George Clooney’s call to arms under a sobering haze of scrutiny.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
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 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share