as in to pay
somewhat formal
to provide money for (something)
This will defray the costs.
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Recent Examples of defray
Funds raised will help to defray funeral costs and help pay for hospital bills.
—
Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy and Macy's have raised prices of some items, while also looking for ways to defray costs.
—Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
Some have resorted to sleeping in their cars and selling their blood to defray the cost of commuting to work, acting deputy TSA administrator Adam Stahl told CBS News.
—Philip Wang, Time, 23 Mar. 2026
It's intended to defray some of the cost.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defray
Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy and Macy's have raised prices of some items, while also looking for ways to defray costs.
—Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
Some have resorted to sleeping in their cars and selling their blood to defray the cost of commuting to work, acting deputy TSA administrator Adam Stahl told CBS News.
—Philip Wang, Time, 23 Mar. 2026
It's intended to defray some of the cost.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defray
Verb
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Last June, Hill was ordered to pay Bauer more than $300,000 for violating settlement terms.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, and South Africa, for example, are trying to shield the public by cutting fuel taxes, subsidizing diesel and cooking fuel, and capping bread and electricity prices.—
Judd Devermont,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Our social problem of bad food being so prevalent and so cheap and being subsidized by the government.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mahan also has the backing of two independent expenditure committees funded largely by tech leaders and other wealthy investors.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Raising the income cap would deliver more taxes to fund Social Security.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Flaks said the projects will be financed primarily through bond funding supported by the corporation’s endowment and other philanthropic gifts.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
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In older homes, Reiner warns that outdated materials like aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring can be fire hazards, too, and may even prevent a home from being insured or financed.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defray. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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