defray the cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defray the cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where someone is discussing the act of covering or reimbursing expenses. Example: "The organization will defray the cost of the conference for all attendees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government will offer subsidies to help defray the cost.

The New York Times - Health

Also missing are the requisite major sponsors to help defray the cost of the program.

The New York Times

They are not at all intended to defray the cost of mobilization".

The New York Times

Under his scheme, families would receive $5,000 to defray the cost of their health insurance.

The Economist

The federal government would require health insurance companies to help defray the cost.

The New York Times

For the privilege, the Chinese orchestra helped defray the cost of the concert.

The New York Times - Arts

The fees help defray the cost of maintaining an atomic-age hotel built for 1,000.

The New York Times - Arts

The money would help defray the cost of rate hikes in excess of 10percentt.

The New York Times

G.M. gives the retirees $300 a month, which counts as taxable income, to defray the cost.

The New York Times

And small businesses would qualify for tax credits to defray the cost of covering their workers.

The New York Times

"It is manageable; it is large," Mr. Cuomo added, saying the federal government "would defray the cost with us".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defray the cost", ensure the context clearly indicates what is providing the financial assistance and what specific expense is being reduced.

Common error

Avoid using "defray the cost" when the intention is to cover the entire cost. "Defray" implies partial coverage, not complete payment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defray the cost" functions as a verb phrase, where "defray" acts as a transitive verb taking "the cost" as its direct object. This is validated by Ludwig AI, indicating the expression is accurate and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defray the cost" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of reducing expenses or alleviating a financial burden. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, it is often used when discussing subsidies, financial aid, or cost-saving measures. While synonyms like "cover the expense" or "offset the expense" exist, "defray" specifically implies partial rather than complete coverage. By understanding its nuanced meaning and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively use "defray the cost" to convey precise information about financial matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Cover the expense

Replaces "defray" with the more common verb "cover", implying complete payment rather than partial.

Offset the expense

Emphasizes balancing out the cost with a compensating factor, rather than simply paying it.

Help pay for

A simpler and more direct way of saying that someone or something is assisting with the payment.

Reduce the financial burden

Focuses on alleviating the difficulty caused by the cost, rather than the act of payment itself.

Lighten the financial load

Similar to reducing the financial burden, this emphasizes making the cost less heavy or difficult to bear.

Ease the financial strain

Focuses on reducing the pressure or stress caused by the cost.

Subsidize the amount

Implies providing financial assistance to lower the cost, usually by a third party.

Contribute towards the cost

Highlights the act of giving money to help cover the expense, often as part of a larger effort.

Shoulder the expense

Implies taking on the responsibility of paying, often suggesting a significant or challenging cost.

Foot the bill

An idiomatic expression meaning to pay the entire cost, offering a stronger alternative to "defray".

FAQs

How to use "defray the cost" in a sentence?

You can use "defray the cost" to indicate that some action or contribution helps to reduce the expense of something. For instance, "The government offers subsidies to "defray the cost" of health insurance".

What can I say instead of "defray the cost"?

You can use alternatives like "cover the expense", "offset the expense", or "reduce the financial burden" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "defray all costs"?

While grammatically correct, "defray" typically implies partial coverage. To indicate complete coverage, it's more accurate to use phrases like "cover all costs" or "pay for all expenses".

What's the difference between "defray the cost" and "bear the cost"?

"Defray the cost" means to help reduce the expense, while "bear the cost" means to take on the responsibility of paying the expense entirely. For example, you might seek donations to "defray the cost" of a project, but ultimately, your organization will "bear the cost".