defray

verb

de·​fray di-ˈfrā How to pronounce defray (audio)
dē-
defrayed; defraying; defrays
Synonyms of defraynext

transitive verb

1
: to provide for the payment of : pay
sold advertising on the website to help defray the cost of running it
2
archaic : to bear the expenses of (a person)
defrayable adjective
defrayal noun

Examples of defray in a Sentence

This will defray the costs.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy and Macy's have raised prices of some items, while also looking for ways to defray costs. Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026 Some have resorted to sleeping in their cars and selling their blood to defray the cost of commuting to work, acting deputy TSA administrator Adam Stahl told CBS News. Philip Wang, Time, 23 Mar. 2026 It's intended to defray some of the cost. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026 Whether the city might move to defray Carollo’s suddenly massive liability tab remains unclear. Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defray

Word History

Etymology

Middle French deffroyer, from des- de- + frayer to expend, from Old French, from frais, plural of fret, frait expenditure, literally, damage by breaking, from Latin fractum, neuter of fractus, past participle of frangere to break — more at break

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of defray was in 1536

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defray. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

defray

verb
de·​fray di-ˈfrā How to pronounce defray (audio)
: to pay or provide for the payment of
more money to defray expenses

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