OUTLAY Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

outlay 1 of 2

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌlā

Definition of outlay

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

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outlay

2 of 2

verb

ˈau̇t-ˌlā

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

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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

This time, France's large pension outlays and its need to rein in public spending leave little room for maneuver. — Makini Brice, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 Russia ramped up its military outlays, putting it on track to spend a record $200 billion on defense in 2026 with little sign of the Ukraine war coming to an end. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

Microsoft plans to outlay $4 billion in the next five years worldwide. — Paresh Dave, Wired News, 24 Dec. 2025 Vasquez then asked if the RDA had outlaid any money for LaPorte County for shoreline development. — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outlay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlay

Noun

Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and early withdrawals may face penalties unless they’re used for qualifying expenses such as education or a first home, so families should review the tax rules before deciding how to use the money.

— Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
The Central Valley city had one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, along with a high rent burden, transportation costs and childcare expenses, according to Single Mother Grants.

— Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of expense

Verb

The frontman said he was humbled by the action and was touched to spend time with members of the Minneapolis community who worked on the front lines during the ICE surge.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
OpenAI, for example, expects to spend more than $25 billion on training alone this year.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of spend

Noun

Budgets have tightened and commissioners have retreated to the familiar — backing low-cost dramas and safe-bet crime formats.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Turning those minutes into cost savings depends on how staff use the extra time, after paying for software, training, and reviewing its results.

— Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of cost

Verb

What began as a few purists chasing a vibe became an ingredient an entire industry pays extra for.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The data showed that principals often earn from $158,000 to $186,000 per year, while assistant principals were generally paid $150,000 to $179,000.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of pay

Noun

With the company expected to deploy tons of cash toward expanding Muse, investors will be closely watching its capital expenditure plans.

— Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
But the attorney general said the expenditures have been worth it, salvaging billions in state funding that the administration had sought to claw back, and protecting the rights of the state and its residents.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of expenditure

Browse Nearby Words

outlaws

outlay

outlaying

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Style

“Outlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlay. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of outlay

noun

verb

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