SHELLING OUT Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

shelling out

verb

present participle of shell out

as in spending

to hand over or use up in payment we shelled out an obscene amount of money for those concert tickets

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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 shelling out 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 In other words, the additional money that our companies are shelling out to cover higher memory costs ultimately pads these three companies’ bottom lines. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 21 June 2026 Despite being technically unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration, parents are shelling out tens of thousands for treatments that claim to improve language and social skills and reduce problem behaviors. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 18 June 2026 More than 50 years later, fans are shelling out thousands just to get in the building. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 June 2026 Youth soccer is a $5 billion industry, with many families shelling out $15,000 (or more) per year for club dues, tournament fees, private lessons, gas, food, hotels and $315 Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly 11s. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026 By shelling out dollars to upgrade their rosters. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 5 June 2026 Ma was the only candidate who saw opposition spending, with a committee named Taxpayers Against Sexual Harassment By Government Officials shelling out nearly $753,000 for ads trying to persuade voters not to cast their ballots in favor of the current treasurer. — Grace Hase, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 These lawsuits have caused a major headache for the NCAA as the association navigates uncharted territory, where big-name college athletic departments are shelling out millions of dollars on their rosters for high-profile sports such as football and basketball. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelling out

Verb

For consumption, Temasek sees opportunities in spending on experiences over goods, and homegrown consumer brands that have proved innovation capabilities, over foreign brands.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 July 2026
But instead, Patel is walking free after spending two years living with his parents and participating in therapy.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of spending

Verb

Rather than paying the Cuban government agency that runs medical missions, Calabria signed individual contracts with the doctors and makes deposits in their Italian bank accounts.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
The Justice Department unveiled this case against it, essentially arguing that SPLC had been defrauding its donors by paying informants within far-right groups who were infiltrating those groups.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026

Definition of paying

Verb

With the crack of the ball against his bat, Tommy Edman scored from third, giving the Dodgers the lead.

— Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Another challenge is that the EV segment relies heavily on rare earths imported from China, giving Indian two-wheeler makers little control over supply and pricing.

— Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of giving

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shelling

shelling out

shell out

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“Shelling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelling%20out. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of shelling out

verb

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