cost 1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯst How to pronounce cost (audio)
Definition of costnext
1
as in expense
a payment made in the course of achieving a result the newlyweds spared no cost in building the kitchen of their dreams

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2
as in price
the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something we can't afford the cost of a house just yet, so we're renting an apartment

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3
as in risk
the loss or penalty involved in achieving a goal they won the war, but at a terrible cost in lives

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cost

2 of 2

verb

as in to fetch
to have a price of the raffle tickets cost a dollar each

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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 cost
Noun
The technology, costs, competitors, regulations, and use cases were changing too quickly. — Jeff Degraff, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Eight in 10 Americans believe attacking Iran increased the cost of gas and groceries, and a majority disapprove of the war in Iran according to a new UMass Amherst Poll. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
Fortune estimates that the migration from California of some of America’s richest people could cost that state $29 billion that could have been collected from billionaires under California’s proposed 5% tax on billionaire wealth. — Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 DuPage and Cook county leaders announced details of a seismic project that could shift control of supplying Lake Michigan water into suburban hands and cost Chicago one of its largest customers. — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cost
  1. expense
  2. price
  3. fetch
  4. expenditure
  5. fee
  6. bring
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
Noun
  • Breman noted that price shocks stemming from the Middle East conflict have not fully dissipated.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • And with oil prices showing no sign of returning to pre-Iran war levels this year, pressure is increasing on the Fed to combat that sticky inflation by raising interest rates at its next policy-setting meeting in September.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of price
Verb
  • The work is coming to auction for the first time and is estimated to fetch between £20 million to £30 million ($27 million to $41 million).
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The move saved the team about $8 million in cash, but the financial benefit became less relevant when Washington pursued Tyler Linderbaum, who ultimately fetched nearly $30 million a year from the Las Vegas Raiders.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fetch
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
Noun
  • Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni settlement agreement revealed Liman ultimately dismissed the suit and granted Lively's petition to have Baldoni foot the bill for attorneys costs and fees accrued during the proceedings.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Sources briefed on the transfer, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, indicate a fee in the region of £4million has been agreed with Hajduk.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of fee
Verb
  • The Moon enters Aries and your 11th House of Friends, Community, and Future Plans, bringing energy to invitations, brainstorms, and shared goals.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Brooks Lee hit a two-run home run and Kody Clemens had a solo home run, bringing the Twins within 4-3.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of bring

Browse Nearby Words

cossets
cost
costar
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Cite this Entry

“Cost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cost. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cost

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cost

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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