1
as in paying
to hand over or use up in payment
I always end up spending too much money at the mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in consuming
to make complete use of
the town has already spent its budget for snow removal, and it's only January
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wasting
to use up carelessly
spent all his energy on impractical schemes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spending
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
Economists watch spending data closely because Americans’ purchases make up about two-thirds of the US economy.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Because of all the extra trains the new route requires, the board approved spending nearly $955,000 on spare parts.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Two-thirds of those surveyed admitted to spending too much time on their devices.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Despite spending the majority of his life in North Carolina and part of his youth in Charlotte, Miller noted that the 49ers’ campus was completely different from his last time turning off Highway 49.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Newer models have refined the design and added more high-tech features, but the iPhone X offers that iconic modern-day iPhone aesthetic for much cheaper; instead of spending close to $1,000, this model costs less than $165.
—Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Slater, 33, played his first 7 1/2 seasons with the San Francisco Giants before spending the past 2 1/2 seasons with Cincinnati, Baltimore, the White Sox and Yankees.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
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
Economists watch spending data closely because Americans’ purchases make up about two-thirds of the US economy.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Because of all the extra trains the new route requires, the board approved spending nearly $955,000 on spare parts.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Two-thirds of those surveyed admitted to spending too much time on their devices.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Despite spending the majority of his life in North Carolina and part of his youth in Charlotte, Miller noted that the 49ers’ campus was completely different from his last time turning off Highway 49.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Newer models have refined the design and added more high-tech features, but the iPhone X offers that iconic modern-day iPhone aesthetic for much cheaper; instead of spending close to $1,000, this model costs less than $165.
—Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Slater, 33, played his first 7 1/2 seasons with the San Francisco Giants before spending the past 2 1/2 seasons with Cincinnati, Baltimore, the White Sox and Yankees.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spending
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
First-year manager Craig Stammen is wasting little time getting his bench players into the starting lineup.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Shares of Sarepta rose more than 20% in early trading Wednesday after the company presented preliminary data on a pair of treatments for rare, muscle-wasting diseases.—
Damian Garde,
STAT,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One law created new oversight, requiring oil companies to open their books and giving regulators more visibility into refinery profits and operations.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Clever Mercury in your sign trines lucky Jupiter in your 5th House of Delight, giving your words a playful glow and encouraging authentic self-expression.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Freshman Keaton Wagler had 20 points and eight rebounds to lead the Illini (28-9), who reached their first Final Four since losing the championship game to North Carolina in 2005.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Vásquez didn’t factor in the decision after a defensive miscue led to the bullpen briefly losing the lead, but the emerging starting pitcher danced in and out of trouble in keeping the Red Sox at bay on an evening in which the wind chill dropped the temperature into the high 20s.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Spending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spending. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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