as in expensive
commanding a large price
running is one sport that does not require a lot of costly equipment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of costly
Over the years, messy planning has led to controversial, costly golden parachutes, shareholder lawsuits, a stockholder revolt and a bitter, distracting proxy fight.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The rise of interest in electric vehicles, meanwhile, has spurred many large automakers to earmark ad dollars to promote many new technologies to consumers, leaving less money for special — and costly — alliances with specific programs.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
These alternatives are often more effective at reducing recidivism and less costly than secure confinement.
—Jeffrey Shook, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
Raising taxes on the rich might motivate some to leave Illinois, and losing the Bears may be costly for Chicago.
—Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for costly
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The rise of interest in electric vehicles, meanwhile, has spurred many large automakers to earmark ad dollars to promote many new technologies to consumers, leaving less money for special — and costly — alliances with specific programs.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
These alternatives are often more effective at reducing recidivism and less costly than secure confinement.
—Jeffrey Shook, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
Raising taxes on the rich might motivate some to leave Illinois, and losing the Bears may be costly for Chicago.
—Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for costly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costly
Adjective
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Despite being strapped financially, Ruben gets addicted to the expensive process of injections, falling for a number of venomous right-wing podcasts about claiming one’s manhood.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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Fuel surcharges will also rise — as shipping companies aim to pass along higher costs to their customers, ultimately making goods more expensive.—
Cathy Bussewitz,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While rainfall runs off quickly and can more readily evaporate from soil, snowpack serves as a valuable and lasting source of moisture and accounts for a majority of water supplies across the region, as much as 80 percent in some areas.—
Mira Rojanasakul,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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This pattern encodes valuable information.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costly. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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