outlay 1 of 2

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌlā How to pronounce outlay (audio)
Definition of outlaynext
as in expense
a payment made in the course of achieving a result the outlays for the couple's upcoming wedding seem to be multiplying at an incredible rate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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outlay

2 of 2

verb

ˈau̇t-ˌlā How to pronounce outlay (audio)
as in to spend
to hand over or use up in payment the nation had outlaid nearly 20 billion dollars on social programs at that point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 outlay
Noun
The total cost for the parade plus related preparations and cleanup will likely surpass $2 million, based on outlays for previous events, with private sponsors sometimes partially covering expenses. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 18 June 2026 With the four big AI spenders forecasting as much as $725 billion in capital expenditures this year, and even more expected in 2027, the outlays are sucking up a larger proportion of free cash flow and prompting them to take on more debt. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Verb
Netflix would have paid nearly $83 billion, and given its resources, would have had more to outlay on live sports. — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026 With resources at a premium, now is the time to reassess products and services, perhaps remarket or rebrand and, most importantly, determine how best to outlay capital. — Noelle Federico, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for outlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlay
  1. expense
  2. spend
  3. cost
  4. pay
  5. expenditure
Noun
  • The results include deducted one-off expenses for employee bonus provisions.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Since Calleja’s near-fatal fall, over $42,000 ($61,000 AUD) has been donated to a fundraiser organized by his football club to help cover medical expenses.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of expense
Verb
  • During our time away, our neighbors visited with us at the hospital, looked after our house and came over daily to feed and spend time with our cat.
    — Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • American doctors are so conspicuously well-paid that a group of economic researchers spent years trying to figure out why.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of spend
Noun
  • Trump tied this regular seasonal sale to his claims that his administration lowered costs for consumers, from gas prices to eggs.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • Roberts said his product would be less expensive on a per-square-foot basis than traditional construction but declined to cite figures because individual site conditions affect the overall cost.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of cost
Verb
  • The goal is to brighten—not shrink or damage—your fabrics, so pay special attention to heat sensitivity and fiber type.
    — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • In California, drivers pay some of the highest prices in the country.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of pay
Noun
  • The company plans to invest $11 billion globally in capital expenditures and research and development between 2025 and 2028, with a focus on technologies that support electrification and the energy transition.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
  • American Mission’s ads are independent expenditures, so the political committee cannot legally coordinate with the campaign or get Donalds’ approval.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of expenditure

Browse Nearby Words

outlaws
outlay
outlaying
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Cite this Entry

“Outlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlay. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on outlay

Nglish: Translation of outlay for Spanish Speakers

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