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.

It isn’t only how much families spend, but what they spend it on.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

It looked like an especially depressing way to spend an afternoon surrounded by some of the most celebrated natural wonders on Earth.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

We’ve both found that learning to spend is difficult in the face of lifelong formative habits.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

Carter, who appeared in a video link from Swansea prison, will spend 40% of his sentence in prison and the rest on licence.

From BBC • May 18, 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