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

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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 shell out 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 Both airlines, which merged in 2024 but operate as distinct brands, are also working on opening airport lounges to lure customers willing to shell out for luxury travel. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026 The two favorites according to DraftKings—the Panthers and 2026 champion Carolina Hurricanes, each with +650 odds—haven’t shelled out big bucks to any players. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Despite the fact that most existing stadiums are architecturally sound, cities and states are facing pressure to shell out billions of dollars in public funding to support shiny new ones. — Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shell out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell out

Verb

And 84% of fans who track players, pundits or creators spent on sport last year, compared with 43% of those who track none.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Davis and Young combined for 31 points in 17 minutes largely, if not entirely, spent on the floor together.

— Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of spend

Verb

The Wall Street Journal reports that oil producers are paying $30 million to $40 million for round-trip shots in and out of the Strait of Hormuz.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
In most cases, bed and board have to be paid for, but there are a series of daily spending caps on different elements, such as food and hotel costs.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 11 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shell out

verb

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