Expend — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ik-ˈspend/ ex·pend

Meaning & Definition of Expend

Expend (verb)

  1. to pay out, spend
  2. to make use of for a specific purpose, utilize; also, use up

Expend (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to hand over or use up in payment

    "redecoration will have to wait, since we've just expended our last dollar in buying the house"

    similar: disburse, drop, fork (over, out, or up), give, lay out, outlay, pay, shell out, spend
    related: lavish, rain, blow, dissipate, fritter (away), run through, squander, throw away, waste
    near: cache, hoard, lay up, save, acquire, earn, gain, garner, make, procure, realize, secure, win

  2. to make complete use of

    "settlers had to be sure not to expend their supply of firewood before the end of the long winter"

    similar: absorb, burn, consume, deplete, devour, drain, draw down, exhaust, play out, spend, use up, run out of
    related: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, reduce, eat, use, bankrupt, clean (out), impoverish, cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, sap, undermine, weaken, dry up, empty, blow, dissipate, fritter (away), guzzle, lavish, misspend, run through, squander, throw away, waste
    opposite: renew, replace
    near: augment, enlarge, increase, bolster, enforce, fortify, reinforce, strengthen, rebuild, repair, restore, revive, conserve, preserve, save

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Expend

The most common words with a similar meaning to Expend:

disburse, drop, fork (over, out, or up), give, lay out, outlay, pay, shell out, spend, absorb, burn, consume, deplete, devour, drain, draw down, exhaust, play out, use up, run out of

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Expend

Words with the opposite meaning of Expend:

renew, replace

Related Words for Expend

lavish, rain, blow, dissipate, fritter (away), run through, squander, throw away, waste, abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, reduce, eat, use, bankrupt, clean (out), impoverish, cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, sap, undermine, weaken

Near Antonyms of Expend

cache, hoard, lay up, save, acquire, earn, gain, garner, make, procure, realize, secure, win, augment, enlarge, increase, bolster, enforce, fortify, reinforce, strengthen, rebuild, repair, restore, revive, conserve, preserve

Word Forms of Expend

Inflections: expended, expending, expends

Derived words: expender (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Expend

Middle English expenden, exspenden, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French espendre, expendre, borrowed from Latin expendere "to weigh, pay out, disburse," from ex- ex-:1 + pendere "to weigh, have a weight of, pay (out), estimate, consider" pendent

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Expend

What does "Expend" mean?

"Expend" means to pay out, spend. As a verb, it is defined as: to pay out, spend. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Expend"?

Other words for "Expend" include disburse, drop, fork (over, out, or up), give, lay out, outlay, pay and shell out. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Expend" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Expend"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Expend". Common alternatives include disburse, drop, fork (over, out, or up), give, lay out, outlay, pay, shell out, spend and absorb.

What is the opposite of "Expend"?

Antonyms of "Expend" include renew and replace. Near antonyms include cache, hoard, lay up and save.

How do you use "Expend" in a sentence?

Examples of "Expend" in a sentence: "redecoration will have to wait, since we've just expended our last dollar in buying the house"; "settlers had to be sure not to expend their supply of firewood before the end of the long winter".

Is "Expend" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Expend" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Expend"?

"Expend" is pronounced /ik-ˈspend/ and divided into syllables as ex·pend.

What is the origin of the word "Expend"?

"Expend" comes from Middle English expenden, exspenden, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French espendre, expendre, borrowed from Latin expendere "to weigh, pay out, disburse," from ex- ex-:1 + pendere "to weigh, have a weight of, pay (out), estimate, consider" pendent. First known use: 15th century.