COSTLY Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

costly

adjective

ˈkȯs(t)-lē

Definition of costly

as in expensive

commanding a large price running is one sport that does not require a lot of costly equipment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of costly This removes the need for costly purification stages later on. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026 Jewish Israelis see conscription as a unifying experience and a costly demonstration of commitment to the state. — Hannah Ridge, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026 But the starting assumption of these debates is that responsible business conduct legislation is inherently costly, and that weakening EU legislation and prohibiting more ambitious member state laws will reduce those costs. — Ben Vanpeperstraete, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Even if the business can prove that the claims being made against it are without merit, legal defense fees can still become costly. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for costly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for costly

Adjective

They were showered with expensive clothes, spa treatments, and drugs, and given weekly allowances ranging from $150 to $200.

— Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Why concert tickets keep getting more expensive Artists, promoters, venues, and ticketing platforms all take a cut of each ticket.

— James LaForge, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of expensive

Adjective

The approach is particularly valuable because not every mechanical problem can be easily identified through a visual inspection.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
Investors are already measuring the 5-year-old company's potential market cap in the trillions, putting it in a category with the world's most valuable companies.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of valuable

Browse Nearby Words

costless

costly

costs

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Costly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costly. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of costly

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes