as in to pay
somewhat formal
to provide money for (something)
This will defray the costs.
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Recent Examples of defray
The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help defray the huge financial burden for Jenna and her husband Matthew.
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Josh Mankiewicz, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Those who move to New York or other big metro areas with similar aspirations may take steps to try to defray the high cost of living, Garrett said.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
To defray those costs, the state has awarded another $400 million in tax credits to 1888 Studios.
—Andrew Rice, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2025
The Cardinals sent $20 million to the Red Sox to help defray the costs of Gray's $35 million salary for 2026.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defray
Verb
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This means any unpaid amount, whether utilities or other charges, can make an account delinquent because it must be paid at the same time as rent.—
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Planting a vineyard in the Bay Area can cost between $30,000 and $80,000 per acre, but some are choosing to just leave them sit rather than pay to maintain them.—
Verb
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Most of Spanberger’s affordability plans force average citizens to subsidize other groups, such as climate companies and smokers, through their regular purchases.—
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The Kansas Department of Commerce is defending its plan to heavily subsidize the Kansas City Chiefs’ next stadium against critics who say the deal’s terms could potentially leave the state in a financially precarious position.—
Verb
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The agreement includes bipartisan bills worked out by the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund parts of government — food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things.—
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King Charles is reportedly cracking down on royal family housing arrangements and ordering non-working royals to fund their own lifestyles.—
Verb
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The bulk of Venezuelan oil exports flow to China, and Chinese companies finance extensive infrastructure projects and investments across the country, with Beijing lending billions to Caracas in recent decades.—
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The probe comes amid multiple lawsuits alleging Alan Stalcup, through his GVA Property Management and other companies, uses his portfolio of apartment buildings as a personal piggy bank to finance a high-flying lifestyle.—
Cite this Entry
“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defray. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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