spend

[spend] / spɛnd /

VERB

give, pay out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allocate concentrate consume contribute donate drop employ expend give invest put in settle use waste

STRONG

absorb apply bestow blow confer defray deplete disburse dispense dissipate drain empty exhaust fritter lavish liquidate misspend squander

WEAK

ante up cast away come across come through cough up evote foot the bill hand out lay out outlay pay down pay up run through shell out spring for throw away use up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build hold keep neglect save shun take take away withhold

STRONG

fill hoard set aside

WEAK

be lazy earn get receive

VERB

use time; occupy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

consume devote employ go kill put in waste

STRONG

drift fill fritter idle laze misuse pass squander

WEAK

fool around let pass while away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build create misuse

STRONG

save take use

WEAK

be lazy earn get receive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“These students may spend money on colleges that they have no realistic chance of admission.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

First, we’ve never seen so many companies spend this much, this suddenly.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

But spend some time with the author who created these characters and he will tell you the story, directly and in detail.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In 2026, this group continued to spend despite higher prices on things like food and gas, according to the Dallas Fed.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

“Maya-Jade’s been so glad to have a friend this summer. She wasn’t super thrilled when we insisted she spend the summer at an old-age home.”

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

spend

Example Sentences

Related Words