as in spending
to hand over or use up in payment
we shelled out an obscene amount of money for those concert tickets
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Recent Examples of shelling out
Taxpayers will be shelling out a big slice of their taxes to service debt taken on in the past to finance government spending in years gone by.
—
Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 14 May 2026
They were supposed to take a big step forward after finally shelling out a bit of money in the offseason.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Even just a percentage-point contrast can mean shelling out hundreds more per month on your mortgage payment.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 4 May 2026
Meta has also been on an aggressive AI spending spree, shelling out more than $72 billion for data centers and other AI infrastructure in 2025.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
While content creators can purchase their own tickets — often shelling out thousands for entry — many are invited by brands, some of which offer to cover airfare, accommodations and passes into the festival.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
An $80 round trip to see the World Cup, in addition to shelling out for tickets is well out of reach.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
However, the only highly visible campaign is that of billionaire Steyer, who’s not only hopping around the state for personal appearances but shelling out millions of his own bucks for television and internet ads.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, taxpayers are shelling out $273,063 per hour to keep Air Force One in the air.
—John Whitehead, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 14 May 2026
They were supposed to take a big step forward after finally shelling out a bit of money in the offseason.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Even just a percentage-point contrast can mean shelling out hundreds more per month on your mortgage payment.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 4 May 2026
Meta has also been on an aggressive AI spending spree, shelling out more than $72 billion for data centers and other AI infrastructure in 2025.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
While content creators can purchase their own tickets — often shelling out thousands for entry — many are invited by brands, some of which offer to cover airfare, accommodations and passes into the festival.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
An $80 round trip to see the World Cup, in addition to shelling out for tickets is well out of reach.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
However, the only highly visible campaign is that of billionaire Steyer, who’s not only hopping around the state for personal appearances but shelling out millions of his own bucks for television and internet ads.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, taxpayers are shelling out $273,063 per hour to keep Air Force One in the air.
—John Whitehead, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelling out
Verb
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The Republican primary has been one of the most expensive in recent history, with both sides spending freely on attack ads.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
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Cherry Creek’s policy prohibits employees from spending district money on alcohol.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Importing higher-paying—and oftentimes higher-achieving—students benefits a school during boom times, when universities have seemingly infinite choice among applicants.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
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Adani, one of the world’s richest people, was accused in 2024 of paying massive bribes to ensure the project’s success.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Verb
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And the end came well before midnight, with goals by Mitch Marner and Brett Howden in the first 8½ minutes giving Vegas a commanding lead before many in the late-arriving weeknight crowd had made it to their seats at the Honda Center.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
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Las Vegas moved on from the quarterback this offseason in favor of Cousins and Mendoza, less than a year after giving Smith more than $58 million guaranteed.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shelling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelling%20out. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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