as in sales
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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Recent Examples of auctions
George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
In fact, many auctions are conducted online now, making the process more accessible.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
Phil Hoymans, managing director of Bonas, one of the companies that helps run Antwerp's diamond auctions, said people aren't aware of what's happening to the $60-billion-a-year diamond industry.
—Chris Livesay, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Lumberyards, flour mills, livestock auctions, and other industries popped up, while irrigation canals were built quickly to support the region’s expanding agricultural community.
—Northwest River Partners, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
As with any market, more money means more scammers, and fakes abound — this past fall Sotheby’s cancelled two memorabilia auctions over authenticity concerns.
—Julie Brener Davich, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
The vroom-vroom event features more than 800 custom, exotic, rare and exclusive cars and trucks, as well as live-action drifting, fan ride-alongs, custom exhibits, interactive fan racing activities and attractions, auctions and live concerts.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Since 1971, car aficionados have gathered in the Scottsdale area for one of the world's most recognizable car auctions.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Now, Arthaus is slowly reopening, thanks to fundraisers and charity auctions that have helped the space build back.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
Loan defaults, foreclosures, and hotel property auctions due to distressed financing show that an array of ailments afflict the region’s lodging market.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
In fact, many auctions are conducted online now, making the process more accessible.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
Phil Hoymans, managing director of Bonas, one of the companies that helps run Antwerp's diamond auctions, said people aren't aware of what's happening to the $60-billion-a-year diamond industry.
—Chris Livesay, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Lumberyards, flour mills, livestock auctions, and other industries popped up, while irrigation canals were built quickly to support the region’s expanding agricultural community.
—Northwest River Partners, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
As with any market, more money means more scammers, and fakes abound — this past fall Sotheby’s cancelled two memorabilia auctions over authenticity concerns.
—Julie Brener Davich, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
The vroom-vroom event features more than 800 custom, exotic, rare and exclusive cars and trucks, as well as live-action drifting, fan ride-alongs, custom exhibits, interactive fan racing activities and attractions, auctions and live concerts.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Since 1971, car aficionados have gathered in the Scottsdale area for one of the world's most recognizable car auctions.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Now, Arthaus is slowly reopening, thanks to fundraisers and charity auctions that have helped the space build back.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auctions
Noun
-
Chinese officials have already signaled pressure on Taiwan arms sales.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Blue Ant Rights is handling all sales as the global distribution partner.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dorian Gray, the Victorian era’s proto-Clavicular, literally exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty—a move that the looksmaxxing community would seem to endorse wholeheartedly.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
19 Jan. 2026
-
The group exchanges little looks.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Such proofs can help people authenticate identities virtually, make online banking transactions, build blockchains, and more.—
Peter Hall,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Kerbrat added that Robinhood Chain will support transactions both in its self-custody crypto wallet, and also in the main Robinhood app.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Coined by nail artist Betina Goldstein, the micro-French style swaps a large swath of white for a barely-there flash of paint across the free edge of the nail.—
Laura Solla,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Most soccer-forward of the footwear assortment is their Samba, which swaps out the Three Stripes motif for Bape’s star logo.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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India and the European Union recently reached a free trade agreement that could affect as many as 2 billion people after nearly two decades of negotiations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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As negotiations stretched on, the district announced that schools would be closed on Monday, prompting families to scramble for childcare and alternative plans.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In this Gothic fantasy debut, Leena Al-Sayer bargains her ability to see the dead in order to pay for the expensive medicine her brother Rami needs to live.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Those restraints are lawful because the NFL collectively bargains them with the NFL players association.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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De Beers purchases the diamonds specifically from artisanal miners in Kono, Sierra Leone, which is located close to a rich kimberlite pipe.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Bernasconi says the bar purchases about 15 exclusive casks each year.—
Don Tse,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The fuel shortage deals another blow to a country that relies heavily on tourism, an industry that once generated $3 billion in annual revenue and served as a vital economic lifeline.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Age always deals the last hand.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Auctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auctions. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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