expensive

adjective

ik-ˈspen(t)-siv How to pronounce expensive (audio)
Definition of expensivenext
as in costly
commanding a large price expensive clothing that only the truly wealthy can afford

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 expensive That meant that while seniors would have to pay less at the pharmacy counter and therefore have easier access to expensive prescription drugs, insurers would be on the hook for more of the bill. — Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 29 July 2026 The Speyside distillery just announced the release of the third and final edition in the series, and this new expression combines three different half-century-old casks into something very rare and very expensive. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 July 2026 More to the point, the cost of launching and maintaining a homegrown streaming service is prohibitively expensive, even when Yankees and Knicks revenues are funding the effort. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 29 July 2026 But these products are often more expensive, less transparent and still a fraction of the mainstream mortgage market. — Efri Argaman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for expensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expensive
  1. costly
  2. valuable
  3. premium
  4. precious
  5. extravagant
Adjective
  • Tango sits almost exactly where it was taken, in a costly, high-end berth in Palma.
    — Giacomo Tognini, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Even people who know a lot about finances can get confused and make costly mistakes.
    — Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026
Definition of costly
Adjective
  • The now-defunct Broward airline has chosen a lead bidder in the auction of its former corporate headquarters in Dania Beach, among its most valuable assets.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Shares rose 470% on their first day, making the chipmaker the most valuable company listed in mainland China.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of valuable
Adjective
  • Berto Industria Tessile, which specializes in premium denim for fashion, accessories and furniture and has a bespoke arm for one-of-a-kind fabrics, has played a key role in adapting the fiber for use in denim.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 30 July 2026
  • As with The Odyssey, Imax and premium-format screens will make up significant chunks of both films’ theatrical totals.
    — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 30 July 2026
Definition of premium
Adjective
  • The timepiece veers confidently into tool-watch territory, separating it from other precious-metal and bracelet Overseas models.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 26 July 2026
  • Use this precious space to describe your related skills or experience, not the general importance of the role.
    — Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 25 July 2026
Definition of precious
Adjective
  • The average song would be a couple of minutes, and four would seem like an extravagant jam.
    — Brian Howe, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026
  • Meteorite from Sebastián Múnera follows two young women on a journey through an extravagant amusement park built on the estate of the late drug lord Pablo Escobar.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2026
Definition of extravagant

Browse Nearby Words

expenses
expensive
expensively
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expensive. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on expensive

Nglish: Translation of expensive for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All