expensive

adjective

ik-ˈspen(t)-siv How to pronounce expensive (audio)
Definition of expensivenext
as in costly
commanding a large price expensive clothing that only the truly wealthy can afford

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 expensive In short, in the last 25 years, America voted itself a series of tax cuts, waged expensive wars, got older, and then spent its way out of a couple of crises. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 There will always be debate over the value of each club’s season tickets but, with supporters continuing to feel cost-of-living pressures, attending matches is still expensive. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 That's especially expensive in the hot summer months, when fans and air conditioners are running around the clock. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026 Even the property’s most expensive hotel room is a low-key fundraiser for the Dollywood Foundation. — Carlye Wisel, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expensive
  1. costly
  2. valuable
  3. premium
  4. precious
  5. extravagant
Adjective
  • During Parcells’ reign over the Dolphins, players who made a costly error on game day often showed up for work the next day to find out they were fired.
    — Omar Kelly August 30, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The floods will likely change that outlook, squeezing a country that’s heavily dependent on tourism while forcing a costly period of reconstruction.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of costly
Adjective
  • The simple way to think about this product is a closer integration between Salesforce's library of customers' valuable data and the capabilities of the Claude model.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The term describes how one’s actions have side effects that might be more valuable than the actions themselves, like a bee pollinating the world’s flowers while making honey for its hive.
    — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of valuable
Adjective
  • Current options range from add-on urine analyzers under $100 to premium fixtures costing thousands.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Toto Stool Scan comes bundled with premium Neorest models, currently sold only in Japan for roughly $3,280.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of premium
Adjective
  • Legends like this one only serve to enhance the value of certain masterpieces crafted from diamonds and precious stones.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But even more than that, consumers want to trust in organizations while discretionary spending is more precious amid inflation, stagnant wages, and a higher cost of living.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of precious
Adjective
  • Despite all of this potential economic turmoil on the Canadian side, Carney still concluded that at the end of the day, the cost of acceding to Washington’s extravagant demands was higher than the cost of job losses and strain on a key industry.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Their journey leads them through an extravagant amusement park built on the grounds of a drug lord’s former estate.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of extravagant

Browse Nearby Words

expenses
expensive
expensively
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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