1
as in spending
to hand over or use up in payment
redecoration will have to wait, since we've just expended our last dollar in buying the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in consuming
to make complete use of
settlers had to be sure not to expend their supply of firewood before the end of the long winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expending
Because what the Knicks are seeing right now is a player expending so much on one end that there may not be enough left on the other — and a coaching staff still searching for ways to pull him out of it before the games start to matter more.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
With one missile – particularly one outfitted with cluster munitions – Iran can send millions of Israelis into bomb shelters and cause Israel and the US to continue expending a finite supply of costly missile interceptors.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Exercise positively impacts sleep by expending energy and making your more tired.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Mar. 2026
Macron said France is expending diplomatic capital to ensure a return to calm and to allow for the Lebanese armed forces to assert themselves as Israel pounds Hezbollah positions.
—Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Still, Rayburn said expending too many munitions in the conflict with Iran could prove problematic for America’s future preparedness.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 4 Mar. 2026
Thankfully, after expending serious overtime up front, the design crew lightened its hand over the rest of the truck, which remains a stout, sturdy pickup without the over-accentuation that characterizes the new US-market Tundra and Tacoma.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
And if this energy is used or leaks away, cells can replenish it by expending more of their chemical energy.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
Some argue that instead of expending resources and effort to knock its adversaries off balance, the United States should invest in itself and its distinct advantages, including existing and new relationships with allies, friends, and partners.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
With one missile – particularly one outfitted with cluster munitions – Iran can send millions of Israelis into bomb shelters and cause Israel and the US to continue expending a finite supply of costly missile interceptors.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Exercise positively impacts sleep by expending energy and making your more tired.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Mar. 2026
Macron said France is expending diplomatic capital to ensure a return to calm and to allow for the Lebanese armed forces to assert themselves as Israel pounds Hezbollah positions.
—Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Still, Rayburn said expending too many munitions in the conflict with Iran could prove problematic for America’s future preparedness.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 4 Mar. 2026
Thankfully, after expending serious overtime up front, the design crew lightened its hand over the rest of the truck, which remains a stout, sturdy pickup without the over-accentuation that characterizes the new US-market Tundra and Tacoma.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
And if this energy is used or leaks away, cells can replenish it by expending more of their chemical energy.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
Some argue that instead of expending resources and effort to knock its adversaries off balance, the United States should invest in itself and its distinct advantages, including existing and new relationships with allies, friends, and partners.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expending
Verb
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In both cases, spending by campaign staff may also count toward those totals.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Economists had believed that an unusually large jump in tax refunds would kick start spending at the start of the year.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Using smokeless nicotine products only affects the person consuming them; no one else.—
Bautista Vivanco,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Pacific Islanders have a long history of consuming shellfish, as explained in a recent study published in Geoarchaeology.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Accordingly, here’s a look at 10 high-paying careers that are dominated – or at least led – by women.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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For a 200-unit project receiving city incentives, for example, that would mean paying $200,000 rather than include 40 affordable units in a development.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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No jumping back into draining obligations.—
Tiffany Aliche,
SELF,
30 Mar. 2026
-
When correctly implemented, first-time business owners can avoid many of the common time-draining processes.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Consideration for a draft would only begin after exhausting troops on the ground with the country's active-duty military personnel, such as full-time professional military, including National Guard and Reserves, and any volunteers or enlistees who join after the war begins.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
25 Mar. 2026
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In addition to exhausting reporters and scrambling the news cycle, episodes like this have fueled speculation that people close to the president are feeding off the chaos.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline topping a multiyear high of $4 a gallon, according to AAA, inflation-weary commuters are having a tough time absorbing the energy shock.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Florida nonprofit Veterans Cannabis Care addresses this directly, absorbing 100% of both physician and state certification fees for qualifying veterans.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One bill focuses on reducing construction costs by updating building codes.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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While these methods remain effective, excessive tilling can break down soil aggregates into smaller particles, reducing soil health and increasing erosion risk.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Yes, a consolidation of the motion picture studios from five down to four would mean fewer jobs, less choices for moviegoers, higher tickets prices, increased leveraged rental terms on cinemas by studios, potential multiplex closings and depleting ticket sales.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2026
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Unexpected expenses can crop up, depleting funds more quickly than expected.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expending. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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