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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

In the first 10 months of the 2026 fiscal year, interest costs have eclipsed Medicare health care outlays to become the second-largest line-item in the federal budget, behind the Social Security pension system. — David Lawder, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 The trustee overseeing that trust has authorized limited payments to fund previous legal bills and Reiner’s jail commissary account, but has held off on allowing a more sizable outlay. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 17 Aug. 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

Others argued the city cannot afford massive new spending on police, its greatest expense, and must make the department more efficient.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
The Family Dollar employee suffered damages, including losses in compensation and benefits, medical expenses, and anxiety and emotional distress, according to the EEOC.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of expense

Verb

Robert spent the prior six years with Chicago, hitting 38 home runs and stealing 20 bases in 2023, his best season and lone All-Star appearance.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
While higher earners had been spending more using credit cards, the institute said the gap across income classes began narrowing in May of this year.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of spend

Noun

Theoretically, Newcastle had decent capacity to bring in a forward from both a Premier League squad cost ratio (SCR) and a UEFA financial rules perspective.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Behrouz Mehri | Afp | Getty Images France's deteriorating public finances and political deadlock are becoming a growing concern for bond investors, with borrowing costs near financial-crisis-era highs as another difficult budget battle looms.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of cost

Verb

Google will pay an additional $190 million to Entergy for transmission system upgrades needed to serve the project.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
With consumers paying an average of $49,855 for new cars in July 2026, according to Cox Automotive's Kelley Blue Book, only nine major car brands averaged sale prices under $40,000 in the United States.

— Keith Laing, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of pay

Noun

The market is attempting to judge how long high capital expenditures and elevated valuations surrounding AI can be sustained.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
This value was divided by the total spent to determine the percentage of expenditures deemed inappropriate by the panel.

— Aneri Pattani — KFF Health News, STAT, 27 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of outlay

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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