at the expense of
phrase
: in a way that harms (something or someone)
Malls flourished at the expense of small stores downtown.
He argues that the tax cut will benefit the rich at the expense of the poor.
Examples of at the expense of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Geevarghese, with the Bernie Sanders-backed Our Revolution, said progressive candidates are tapping into a sense that elites are benefiting at the expense of ordinary Americans.
—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
5 July 2026
Perez wants to make history one more time, boosted by previously winning another mandate in the presidential election at the expense of younger candidate Enrique Riquelme.
—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Critics disagree and say that Missouri’s recent tax cuts have primarily benefited the wealthy at the expense of state capacity.
—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
The 40-year-old Neuer failed to justify his inclusion at the expense of Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, and was arguably at fault for Ecuador’s winning goal in the last group game.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for at the expense of
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Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
5 July 2026
Perez wants to make history one more time, boosted by previously winning another mandate in the presidential election at the expense of younger candidate Enrique Riquelme.
—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Critics disagree and say that Missouri’s recent tax cuts have primarily benefited the wealthy at the expense of state capacity.
—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
The 40-year-old Neuer failed to justify his inclusion at the expense of Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, and was arguably at fault for Ecuador’s winning goal in the last group game.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for at the expense of
Cite this Entry
“At the expense of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20expense%20of. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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