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Synonyms for

Costly

Adjective / ˈkɑ:stli: / / ˈkɔ:stli: / Another word for costly — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

expensive; requiring a lot of money to buy or do

Synonyms & similar words

pricey dearlywon dear highpriced pricy expensive pricy high-priced dear valuable pricey premium exorbitant luxurious lavish fancy splendid sumptuous opulent extravagant spendy big-ticket rich high-end upmarket

Synonyms by register

Formal

expensive high-priced dear valuable

Informal

pricey steep a bundle a pretty penny

Literary

exorbitant unaffordable

Antonyms

cheap inexpensive affordable low-cost economical budget-friendly

Common collocations

  • costly mistake
  • costly affair
  • costly endeavor
  • costly pursuit
  • costly process
  • costly operation

Word family

noun cost
verb cost
adjective costly
adverb costly

Usage note

While 'costly' often implies a high price, it can also refer to something that incurs significant loss or damage, not just monetary expense. It is generally more formal than 'expensive'.

Compare "costly" with another word →

Example sentences

  1. The diamond necklace was too costly for her to buy.
  2. The repairs to the car were more costly than expected.
  3. He learned a costly lesson after losing his phone.
  4. The hotel room was quite costly but worth it for the view.
  5. The wedding was a costly affair with all the decorations and food.

Quotes

  • Freedom is a costly gift always worth fighting for. - Susan Griffin
  • The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing. - Seth Godin
  • The truth is always a costly proposition, but it's worth it. - Hunter S. Thompson

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