Find Synonyms
outlay Synonyms
Another word for outlay
Choosing another word for outlay depends on context, so the 14 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 2 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• noun (Context 1)
An amount of money spent on something, especially as an initial investment or to start a project.
Usage Example
"Solar panels require a substantial initial expenditure, but they significantly reduce electricity bills over time."
Strongest
expenditure
expense
disbursement
Strong
spending
cost
investment
outgoings
payout
• verb (Context 2)
To spend or disburse a sum of money for a particular purpose or investment.
Usage Example
"The firm is reluctant to lay out millions of dollars on new machinery without a guaranteed contract."
Strongest
lay out
expend
disburse
spend
Strong
invest
pay out
Opposites of outlay
The opposite of outlay shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
income
revenue
earn
save
earnings
profit
recoup
return
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Outlay. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/outlay