expend

[ ik-spend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to use up:

   She expended energy, time, and care on her work.

   Synonyms: empty, consume

2. to pay out; disburse; spend.

expend

/ ɪkˈspɛnd /

verb

1. to spend; disburse
2. to consume or use up

Derived Forms

• exˈpender, noun

Other Words From

• ex·pender noun
• over·ex·pend verb
• preex·pend verb (used with object)
• unex·pended adjective
• well-ex·pended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expend¹

1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin expendere “to weigh out, lay out, pay”

Word History and Origins

Origin of expend¹

C15: from Latin expendere, from pendere to weigh

Synonym Study

See spend.

Example Sentences

"Even something as innocuous as recreation can add to these other stressors we're bringing into their lives, potentially by altering the amount of energy they have to expend for hunting and other needs," Bolas said.

From Science Daily

Most of those points came on layups and dunks in transition, the rewards of expending all that effort on defense.

From Los Angeles Times

This was not a bad United display, certainly not their worst in recent times, but all the perspiration expended could not cover up the shortage of inspiration that will be at his disposal.

From BBC

They added 64 for the fifth wicket, Naseem bravely taking blows to the head and hands to make England use energy they would rather have expended on frontline batters.

From BBC

And yet for all the time and effort the Biden administration has expended, it has failed to broker a cease-fire between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ante up
• consume
• disburse
• dispense
• dissipate
• put out
• use up