Definitions

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.

Hilton and Becerra will now spend the next few months battling to become California's chief executive.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Tech companies will spend as much as one trillion dollars on AI development next year, and expected productivity gains have helped push up shares of perceived AI winners.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Or you could plan to spend less in retirement or take more from savings, or some combination of the two.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

Make it once and you’ll spend the next few days looking around the kitchen for things to put it on.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

Last year we struck a deal as far as birthdays go: We do not spend more than fifty bucks on each other.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

spend

Example Sentences

Related Words