SHELL OUT Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

shell out

verb

Definition of shell out

as in to spend

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 shell out There's no denying that Netflix is willing to shell out the cash for A-list talent, and this week's offerings are proof of that. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 Gen Z reported the highest average expenditure on fine art in 2025 and 2026, shelling out more than twice the amount of any older generation surveyed. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 That would be a strong result had Amazon MGM Studios not shelled out $40 million to buy the film and tens of millions more to market it. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026 The event, meant to bow in early December, historically has shelled out millions to lure top talent like Will Smith, Gwyneth Paltrow, Michelle Williams and Halle Berry. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shell out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell out

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

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

Verb

The parties involved in the litigation—as well as Red Lobster itself, which is not being sued—declined to comment for this article, but their court filings lay out the sad saga in dramatic detail.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Unedited excerpts from the surveys, in which candidates lay out detailed goals and policy analysis, can be found at the links below.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of lay out

Browse Nearby Words

shelling out

shell out

shells

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“Shell out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell%20out. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shell out

verb

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