Expensive synonym,synonyms of expensive

1. Costly
   • Meaning Similarity
     • “Costly” and “expensive” both convey the idea that something requires a large amount of money to purchase or maintain. When an item is “expensive,” it has a high price tag, and the same holds true for something described as “costly.” For example, a luxury car can be described as “expensive” because it has a high purchase price, and it can also be called “costly” due to its high cost. Additionally, maintaining a luxury car with its high - end parts and specialized services is “costly,” much like saying it is “expensive” to maintain.
   • Usage Differences
     • “Costly” can sometimes imply that the high cost is associated with negative consequences or sacrifices. For instance, a hasty business decision might prove to be “costly” if it leads to financial losses. Here, “costly” not only refers to the high financial outlay but also the negative impact of that cost. In contrast, “expensive” is more straightforwardly about the high price of an item or service. When you say a diamond ring is “expensive,” you're mainly highlighting its high price without necessarily emphasizing any negative implications.
     • “Costly” can also be used in a more abstract sense. For example, a war can be “costly” in terms of lives lost, resources depleted, and economic damage. While “expensive” is primarily used in the context of the price of goods and services, “costly” has a broader scope to include non - monetary costs.
2. Pricy
   • Meaning Similarity
     • “Pricy” is a more informal synonym for “expensive.” It simply means that something has a high price. If you're at a coffee shop and find that a cup of coffee costs significantly more than what you're used to, you might say, “This coffee is pricy.” Similarly, you could say the coffee is “expensive.” Both words convey the idea that the price is higher than expected or higher than what is typical.
   • Usage Differences
     • “Pricy” is very much an informal term, commonly used in casual conversations among friends, family, or in everyday situations. It gives a sense of a quick, colloquial reaction to a high price. For example, when shopping with a friend and looking at a trendy but over - priced shirt, you'd likely say, “That shirt is pricy, don't you think?” It's a more light - hearted way of expressing that something is expensive.
     • “Expensive,” on the other hand, can be used in both informal and formal settings. In a business report, you might write, “The company opted for an expensive marketing campaign.” Here, “expensive” is used in a more professional and formal context, while “pricy” would be out of place.
3. Exorbitant
   • Meaning Similarity
     • “Exorbitant” and “expensive” both indicate a high cost. However, “exorbitant” emphasizes that the price is unreasonably or extremely high. When you call something “exorbitant,” you're not just saying it's expensive; you're suggesting that the price is way beyond what is fair or normal. For example, if a hotel charges $500 for a night in a small, basic room in a non - luxury location, you could say the price is “exorbitant.” You could also say it's “expensive,” but “exorbitant” adds a stronger sense of outrage or disbelief at the high cost.
   • Usage Differences
     • “Exorbitant” is a more emphatic term. It's often used when the speaker wants to express their shock or disapproval at a price. In consumer rights discussions, people might talk about “exorbitant” prices charged by certain companies, highlighting the unfairness of the pricing. It's not a term you'd use as casually as “expensive.”
     • “Expensive” is a more neutral way to describe a high - priced item. You can use it to simply state the fact that something has a high cost without necessarily expressing a strong opinion about whether the price is fair or not. For example, “The new smartphone is expensive, but it has many advanced features.” Here, “expensive” is used to state the price level without a strong judgment on its fairness.

In conclusion, “costly,” “pricy,” and “exorbitant” are all synonyms for “expensive,” but they each have their own nuances. “Costly” can imply negative consequences or non - monetary costs, “pricy” is informal, and “exorbitant” conveys extreme and unfair high cost. These differences help in choosing the right word to accurately convey your perception of a high price in different contexts.