as in pays
somewhat formal
to provide money for (something)
This will defray the costs.
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrays
Verb
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The sequel strips Grace of what made her special and merely pays lip service to the first one’s worldview, representing the antagonists as generically incompetent hedonists.—
Michael Ordoña,
San Francisco Chronicle,
18 Mar. 2026 -
That comparison can be misleading, however, because insurance rarely pays that price and even people without insurance typically get discounts.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Through the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant, Florida subsidizes equivalent degrees at private, nonprofit institutions at a cost of just $3,500 per student.—
Albert D. Mosley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
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Whatever the official motivation -- and despite the fact the city still subsidizes dances, films, hot meal delivery and free medicine -- some retirees see such actions as direct attacks.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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None would impact school budgets, but instead would impose cuts on the portions of a homeowner’s property-tax bill that funds city and county governments.—
Douglas Hanks
March 13,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
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His experiments are saved by Henrich Harlander (Christoph Waltz), a wealthy benefactor who funds Victor's work.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After becoming governor the second time in 2011, Jerry Brown proposed a major overhaul of how California finances public education.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
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The group will use the Chicago Prize to bolster the coalition’s existing revolving loan fund that finances new home construction.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Defrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrays. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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