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.

Consumers worried about losing their jobs will borrow and spend less.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

"Caroline didn't spend much time in school - only a year - so boxing was her only community. When she moved out, she had to find that community for herself and her siblings," he says.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

And because children tend to spend more time outdoors than adults and engage in more physical activity, they may have higher exposure to outdoor air pollution.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

That’s the tendency of consumers to spend more when their stocks and home values are riding high.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Or were you younger then, and happy to spend time doing whatever your dad wanted to do?

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

spend

Example Sentences

Related Words