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
The 23-year-old, boxed out of the Yankees’ Opening Day roster despite spending the entire 2025 season in the majors, was called up from Triple-A on Monday.
—
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Since making their water landing, the three Americans and one Canadian who set out on the lunar journey have been busy, spending recent weeks reuniting with family, debriefing the mission and making media appearances – all while adapting to life back on Earth.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
And despite the price surge, households are still spending less of their budgets on gasoline than during peaks seen in 2008, 2011 and 2012.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
If a minor is working without a valid permit, spending too many hours at the workplace or performing a job they’re not legally allowed to do, both the child’s employer and parent can be held legally responsible.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Liam Payne who died in October 2024 Cheryl is spending a day with her son in the Happiest Place on Earth.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Ramírez played in the big leagues for nine seasons, spending eight with the White Sox and parts of a season with the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Guro Reiten is sitting inside her apartment in Norway, in between spending time with her 5-month-old son and packing her life away.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Last week, when the agreement between Arlington and the Cowboys was first reported, some council members and residents argued that spending this much public money should be put to a referendum.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Since making their water landing, the three Americans and one Canadian who set out on the lunar journey have been busy, spending recent weeks reuniting with family, debriefing the mission and making media appearances – all while adapting to life back on Earth.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
And despite the price surge, households are still spending less of their budgets on gasoline than during peaks seen in 2008, 2011 and 2012.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
If a minor is working without a valid permit, spending too many hours at the workplace or performing a job they’re not legally allowed to do, both the child’s employer and parent can be held legally responsible.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Liam Payne who died in October 2024 Cheryl is spending a day with her son in the Happiest Place on Earth.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Ramírez played in the big leagues for nine seasons, spending eight with the White Sox and parts of a season with the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Guro Reiten is sitting inside her apartment in Norway, in between spending time with her 5-month-old son and packing her life away.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Last week, when the agreement between Arlington and the Cowboys was first reported, some council members and residents argued that spending this much public money should be put to a referendum.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spending
Verb
-
Talking about more than academics, Joyce said CLC’s project to build the Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee, teaching skills for well-paying jobs and a major expansion to the Waukegan campus have made a difference in helping to build the workforce.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Lawyers who represent Silicon Valley’s biggest AI firms are paying attention.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That’s what people are consuming.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
See what else our critics are consuming this week.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There is only an outdated technicality that forces grocery stores to heat chickens and cool them back down just to comply, wasting energy, degrading quality, and adding cost.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Rosenior’s pre-game decision to switch to a back three only seemed to further unsettle his out-of-form side, with Brighton creating — and wasting — numerous other high-quality chances.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Why then hesitate at giving people information about themselves that will actually change their life for the better?—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Zamora supports giving middle and high school communities the option to have an officer on campus at least part-time.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shane Lowry has the distinction of draining one of the more memorable putts in recent golf history.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Grow crocosmia in moist, organically rich, well-draining soil in full sun to light shade.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Boston has not won a playoff series since, finishing last in back-to-back years before returning to the postseason last season and losing to the Yankees in the wild-card round.—
Jimmy Golen,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Winning is obviously much more fun than losing, but losing is part of it.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In some ways, the Wolfpack were already destined for a reset, with veterans like Tre Holloman, Darrion Williams, Quadir Copeland and Ven-Allen Lubin all exhausting their eligibility.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, America seems to be exhausting itself and its arsenals in the Middle East.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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MacRumors thinks this could end up reducing the thickness of the iPhone’s display stack while improving brightness and minimizing power use.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Airhart ethos is focused on reducing the cognitive drain on the pilot.—
David Szondy
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spending. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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