shell out

verb

shelled out; shelling out; shells out
Synonyms of shell outnext
: pay

Synonyms of shell out

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Examples of shell out in a Sentence

we shelled out an obscene amount of money for those concert tickets
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Soon after, the e-commerce livestreamer in Hangzhou shelled out $30,000 for his first android and turned it into a rental venture. — John Liu, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 However, that push then prompted groups linked to Anthropic as well as crypto billionaire Chris Laren to shell out millions in support of Bores. — Elena Moore, NPR, 24 June 2026 Despite shelling out their second-largest salary on the team – behind only Doncic – the Lakers’ amount of wiggle room remains the same heading into unrestricted free agency next week. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 24 June 2026 This would see a payment of 25 cents a ​share — roughly $650M in total — for shelled out to investors for every quarter the takeover does not finalize beyond Q3. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shell out

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shell out was in 1801

Rhymes for shell out

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Browse Nearby Words

shell money
shell out
shell parrakeet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shell out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20out. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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