costly

adjective

ˈkȯs(t)-lē How to pronounce costly (audio)
Definition of costlynext
as in expensive
commanding a large price running is one sport that does not require a lot of costly equipment

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 costly Kaliakmanis threw a costly interception early in the third quarter and the Colts quickly capitalized. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 New suppliers, changed bank accounts and first-time contract exceptions should route to a human by default, since that’s exactly where fraud and costly mistakes tend to hide. — Shaz Khan, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 But where stronger authentication requires more information about us, anonymity becomes more costly. — Joao Gomes, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026 Transporting anything from Earth to Mars is costly, and building materials are especially so. — ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for costly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costly
  1. expensive
  2. valuable
Adjective
  • Narrowing the spread also weakens the incentive to steer patients toward costlier drugs and to acquire physician practices and infusion clinics — the very behaviors that have made care more expensive.
    — Casey B. Mulligan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The problem is that these systems are slow, expensive and don’t scale.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of expensive
Adjective
  • There’s no player more valuable on the back end of USC’s defense.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Chinese scientists have developed a 250-kilowatt system that can produce hydrogen and fresh water from seawater while recovering valuable marine resources.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of valuable

Browse Nearby Words

costless
costly
costs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Costly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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