costs 1 of 2

Definition of costsnext
plural of cost
1
as in expenses
a payment made in the course of achieving a result the newlyweds spared no cost in building the kitchen of their dreams

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
as in prices
the loss or penalty involved in achieving a goal they won the war, but at a terrible cost in lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

costs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cost

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of costs
Noun
At a time when festivals like Sol Blume, Goldensky and Breakaway have been cancelled or postponed, citing costs or unforeseen circumstances, Channel 24 credits the Sacramento community as the key to their success. Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026 Putting even a small piece of trash in the recycling stream or non-compostable items in the compost bin can require additional effort to re-sort at processing facilities, which increases costs and energy usage, or contaminates the entire process altogether, ultimately creating more trash. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026 As rapidly rising fuel costs are cascading across the American economy, that is exactly what some are doing. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026 This technique enables precise control over the coating thickness and uniformity, potentially improving performance while reducing material usage and production costs. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026 But after the shipping costs and payment for the bottler’s costs, there was no profit on the product. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026 However, employee unions and attorneys say the SIBTF costs — spread among all employers — is much lower than if the employers had to cover the injuries individually through workers’ compensation. Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026 The rollout comes as higher travel costs could complicate plans for some Americans. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 4 Apr. 2026 In 2023, more than a third of households headed by adults 65 and over struggled to pay housing costs, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, and the share is even bigger for women living alone. Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
Beyond that, self-parking typically costs $25 per day but may cost more during special events. Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025 Worse, may car owners act like their car only costs the incremental cost of operating it, which can appear be under 5 cents/mile in an EV. Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costs
Noun
  • While bonds are used to pay for projects, governments typically use tax levies to pay for operating expenses like wages, health care or utilities.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • To pay for the various expenses of running a rescue, Ruth began attending reptile expos.
    Julian Camejo, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Seniors who are at least 62 years old do not have to pay, and $10 late fees apply for owners who did not register their pets within 30 days.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The mart was asked to complete pending corrections to avoid additional inspection fees.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • An extended strike threatened to disrupt the industry, which could ultimately drive up prices, said Jennifer Martin at Colorado State University’s animal sciences department.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Oil prices have surged since the United States and Israel struck Iran at the end of February, unleashing a war that has run for more than a month and effectively closed the key shipping artery.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Shorter fetches often create multiple, less intense bands of snow, while longer fetches can produce severe single bands, sometimes with thundersnow, as seen in the longer geographical positioning of lakes like Erie and Ontario.
    Vytas Reid, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Fresh opium now fetches about $329 per kilogram, more than double the 2019 price of $145.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • But transportation costs are still the second-largest household cost after housing, averaging 17% of expenditures, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • For example, between 2014 and 2018, PBMs’ share of insulin expenditures nearly tripled with no overall savings to payers.
    Neeraj Sood, STAT, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • May 21 – June 20 This morning brings focus to everyday choices.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Ynon brings over 25 years of financial leadership to Pentera.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Costs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costs. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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