at the cost of
idiom
: by giving up or hurting (something else)
She completed the project on time but at the cost of her health.
Examples of at the cost of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To Spoelstra the approach remains that youth will be served when deserved, and even then not at the cost of one more victory, even amid the seemingly inescapable reality of a fourth consecutive trip to the play-in round.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The third might buy time but at the cost of leaving the market undersupplied with term credit, and with the fundamental fiscal problem still worsening as deficits compound and debt service consumes an ever-larger share of federal outlays.
—Daniel J. Arbess, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
But focusing on right now at the cost of the future has never been how Vowles wanted to do things.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Let yourself be seen, but not at the cost of your well-being.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for at the cost of
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.
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The third might buy time but at the cost of leaving the market undersupplied with term credit, and with the fundamental fiscal problem still worsening as deficits compound and debt service consumes an ever-larger share of federal outlays.
—Daniel J. Arbess, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
But focusing on right now at the cost of the future has never been how Vowles wanted to do things.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Let yourself be seen, but not at the cost of your well-being.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for at the cost of
Cite this Entry
“At the cost of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20cost%20of. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
