as in expense
a payment made in the course of achieving a result
the outlays for the couple's upcoming wedding seem to be multiplying at an incredible rate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to spend
to hand over or use up in payment
the nation had outlaid nearly 20 billion dollars on social programs at that point
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 outlay
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
21 June 2026
With the four big AI spenders forecasting as much as $725 billion in capital expenditures this year, and even more expected in 2027, the outlays are sucking up a larger proportion of free cash flow and prompting them to take on more debt.
—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Paresh Dave,
Wired News,
24 Dec. 2025
Vasquez then asked if the RDA had outlaid any money for LaPorte County for shoreline development.
—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outlay
Noun
Methods for Reusing Grass Clippings These methods are all fairly straightforward and don't require any special equipment or outlay of expenses.
—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
21 June 2026
With the four big AI spenders forecasting as much as $725 billion in capital expenditures this year, and even more expected in 2027, the outlays are sucking up a larger proportion of free cash flow and prompting them to take on more debt.
—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Verb
Microsoft plans to outlay $4 billion in the next five years worldwide.
—
Paresh Dave,
Wired News,
24 Dec. 2025
Vasquez then asked if the RDA had outlaid any money for LaPorte County for shoreline development.
—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlay
Noun
-
Everyone on the trip can collaborate to build the perfect itinerary, easily share flight details, create checklists, and keep track of expenses and who owes what.
-
MetLife is poised to lead the industry in margin expansion (20–25 bps annually) by keeping expense growth firmly below revenue gains.
Verb
-
During our time away, our neighbors visited with us at the hospital, looked after our house and came over daily to feed and spend time with our cat.
-
American doctors are so conspicuously well-paid that a group of economic researchers spent years trying to figure out why.
Noun
-
Because of that, these hands suffer from high production costs, poor durability against impacts, short operational lifespans, and there are no existing solutions that engineers can readily draw upon, Wang added.
-
The dimension that does the most good is the one leaders are most reluctant to give, because choice costs authority while enjoyment costs only money.
Verb
-
The goal is to brighten—not shrink or damage—your fabrics, so pay special attention to heat sensitivity and fiber type.
-
In California, drivers pay some of the highest prices in the country.
Noun
-
The company plans to invest $11 billion globally in capital expenditures and research and development between 2025 and 2028, with a focus on technologies that support electrification and the energy transition.
-
American Mission’s ads are independent expenditures, so the political committee cannot legally coordinate with the campaign or get Donalds’ approval.
Cite this Entry
“Outlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlay. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
