1
as in pays
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 consumes
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 loses
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 spends
The new fee structure charges a $60 per hour rate, even if an inspector only spends a half-hour on the property.
—
Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
New York City spends more money per capita than any other major city in the country, but there’s no way to save money.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
That’s why Shields spends so much time on those seemingly tiny details.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
Once called ''the funniest woman on TV,'' Catherine O'Hara spends much of her time these days bellying up against a snooker table at the Squeeze Club, a Toronto juice bar and pool hall.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Jacquelyne Devine, a content creator from Pennsylvania who posts under the handle @costcojacque, spends a lot of her time investigating Costco offers.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Bradley is largely concerned with perfecting his golf game; Linda spends her off hours obsessing over the TV show Survivor.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
More interesting than the ad spends, though, is the grassroots marketing campaign being directed by Melania’s own staff out of the first lady’s Mar-a-Lago and New York headquarters.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
New York City spends more money per capita than any other major city in the country, but there’s no way to save money.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
That’s why Shields spends so much time on those seemingly tiny details.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
Once called ''the funniest woman on TV,'' Catherine O'Hara spends much of her time these days bellying up against a snooker table at the Squeeze Club, a Toronto juice bar and pool hall.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Jacquelyne Devine, a content creator from Pennsylvania who posts under the handle @costcojacque, spends a lot of her time investigating Costco offers.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Bradley is largely concerned with perfecting his golf game; Linda spends her off hours obsessing over the TV show Survivor.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
More interesting than the ad spends, though, is the grassroots marketing campaign being directed by Melania’s own staff out of the first lady’s Mar-a-Lago and New York headquarters.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spends
Verb
-
Whoever leaves last probably pays.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
An impressive wine list pays tribute to the late Melvyn Master, Waxman's esteemed sommelier and former partner (the restaurant’s name comes from Jonathan and Melvyn).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The third might buy time but at the cost of leaving the market undersupplied with term credit, and with the fundamental fiscal problem still worsening as deficits compound and debt service consumes an ever-larger share of federal outlays.—
Daniel J. Arbess,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
For starters, figure skating no longer consumes her life, freeing Liu to enjoy the stage more than ever.—
Elliott Almond,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While the interplay of these competing atmospheres can be compelling, the overall effect loses its power as the novelty wears off.—
Maxie Younger,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Someone loses their memory and that knowledge is lost.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That gives Takaichi a clear path to deliver on her agenda over the coming years – until the next election in 2027.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The speech and debate clause, under Article 1, Section 6, of the Constitution, gives these members immunity from liability for defamation when reading the list of names aloud in court.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But freedom of expression is a constant pursuit, as natural as breathing, and silencing it is an imperfect practice that exhausts the oppressor and energizes the oppressed.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Gauff’s movement often exhausts her opponents.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Puffing also wastes fuel and risks damaging the engine if done repeatedly — another reason drivers shouldn’t make a habit out of it.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Pekau responded to the decision with a blog post maintaining the lawsuit is politically motivated and wastes taxpayer money.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Use a good quality potting mix that drains well in the container.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Make sure to empty any excess water that drains into the saucer to keep the roots from getting soggy.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Baking soda naturally neutralizes odors and absorbs any moisture.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Their dark color also absorbs more solar heat, which can accelerate natural melting during the day.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spends. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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