as in sale
a public event at which things are sold to the people who offer to pay the most
She bought the desk at an auction. He made several bids at the auction.
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as in to merchandise
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of auction
Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The black beauty with just 3,300 kilometers on the odometer—or around 2,000 miles—is now up for auction via Bring A Trailer.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2026
Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
Separately, Barrett-Jackson will also auction a 1968 Ford Mustang Licensed Eleanor 25th Anniversary Limited Edition and a 1969 Ford Bronco at the event.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for auction
Noun
At Sotheby’s Riyadh auction last week, a painting by Saudi pioneer Safeya Binzagr sold for more than a Picasso did.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The black beauty with just 3,300 kilometers on the odometer—or around 2,000 miles—is now up for auction via Bring A Trailer.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
If the highway administration again intervenes and stops the sale, Caltrans will have to auction off the land, local officials said.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
Separately, Barrett-Jackson will also auction a 1968 Ford Mustang Licensed Eleanor 25th Anniversary Limited Edition and a 1969 Ford Bronco at the event.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for auction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auction
Noun
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Mexico has amended its constitution to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes and vapes.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
5 Feb. 2026
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The skyscraper known as the Graffiti Towers — officially the Oceanwide Plaza development — has reached a bankruptcy exit agreement that paves the way for a potential sale, court records show.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The rights to his image are managed by CMG Worldwide, which specializes in celebrities merchandising.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
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No matter how they're merchandised, take notice of these home staples.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As of now, no, according to a June 2025 study of transaction data from researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, University of California, San Diego and Northwestern University.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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The legislation essentially says that a healthcare company cannot own both sides of a transaction.—
Caitlin Huey-Burns,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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However, that does not stop Glenn from proudly waving and exchanging Olympic pins adorned with the trans pride flag.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
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Hannah went to Zoe’s studio over the summer and the pair exchanged ideas.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Olympic athletes don’t compete to resell their medals, and most are in the Games for the prestige the medals represent.—
Jacqueline Gu,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Fans lucky enough to win those lotteries sometimes then resell their tickets for multiples of the original price.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But allegations of vote-swapping and selling of votes by French judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne led to an investigation by the ISU and the International Olympic Committee, and she was ultimately found guilty of misconduct and suspended.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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The shoe is rendered entirely in black, swapping its Kevlar weave for suede.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Then, after the Gadsden Purchase, the now southern border of Arizona was also purchased.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Local media reported that India will purchase 114 Rafale jets, with 18 supplied by manufacturer Dassault and the remaining 96 manufactured domestically.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative agreement in Chattanooga, Tennessee, signaling what may be the end of a long and drawn-out negotiation period as the union and Volkswagen bargained over the first contract at the plant.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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With trust, members can bargain in smaller coalitions—and, with hard work, engage in durable policy-making.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Auction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auction. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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