costly
adjective
cost·ly
ˈkȯs(t)-lē 
costlier; costliest
2
: made or done at heavy expense or sacrifice
a costly mistake
costliness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of costly in a Sentence
We use less costly materials in our products.
It was too costly to fix her car after the accident, so she decided to buy a new car instead.
They won the game, but their best player was injured, so it was a costly victory.
The decision to wait could be a costly mistake.
Recent Examples on the Web
The price increases occurred despite legislative reforms in 2022 to reduce access to legal fees that insurers said fueled an unprecedented rise in costly litigation.
—
Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2025
The big picture: Earlier industry software was costly and only accessible to large firms, but Yuen estimates that 80%-90% of the market is made up of small and mid-sized companies.
—Ryan Lawler, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025
Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo wrote in an opinion piece, published in the New York Post, that Trump's executive orders will protect individuals from costly and publicly humiliating court cases brought on by prosecutors to shoehorn a specific narrative.
—Julia Bonavita, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025
However, both are costly and years behind schedule for a crewed launch.
—John Kross, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for costly 
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Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2025
The big picture: Earlier industry software was costly and only accessible to large firms, but Yuen estimates that 80%-90% of the market is made up of small and mid-sized companies.
—Ryan Lawler, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025
Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo wrote in an opinion piece, published in the New York Post, that Trump's executive orders will protect individuals from costly and publicly humiliating court cases brought on by prosecutors to shoehorn a specific narrative.
—Julia Bonavita, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025
However, both are costly and years behind schedule for a crewed launch.
—John Kross, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for costly
Dictionary Entries Near costly
Cite this Entry
“Costly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costly. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
costly
adjective
cost·ly
ˈkȯs(t)-lē
costlier; costliest
1
: of great cost or value
costly furs
2
: gained at great expense or sacrifice
a costly victory
costliness
noun
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