Definitions

expensive

[ik-spen-siv] / ɪkˈspɛn sɪv /

ADJECTIVE

high-priced

Synonyms

STRONGEST

costly extravagant fancy high lavish overpriced pricey upscale valuable

WEAK

an arm and a leg at a premium big-ticket dear excessive exorbitant highway robbery holdup immoderate inordinate invaluable out of sight plush posh pretty penny rich ritzy sky-high steep stiff swank too high uneconomical unreasonable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

economical reasonable unimportant worthless

WEAK

cheap inexpensive low-priced moderate

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.

The company embarked on an expensive recruiting binge last year for top AI talent, some of whom drew nine-figure paychecks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

"There are many brainwave technologies and research all over the world, but most of them are very expensive and not accessible to everyone," Dentsu Lab chief creative officer Naoki Tanaka told the BBC.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

She is a street vendor from East Hollywood who barely makes ends meet in this expensive city.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Rising fuel prices and higher oil and natural gas costs are making shipping and materials like plastic pipes and asphalt more expensive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

It’s not like the coyote means to eat your particular prized sheep or attack your expensive composter.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Vocabulary lists containing expensive

List 1

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"The Evolution of a Great Idea"

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