6 synonyms and better words for “expensive,” each with its precise meaning and an example so you pick the one that actually fits, not just the nearest match.
Far exceeding what is fair or reasonable in price or amount.
“The hotel charged an exorbitant rate for a room barely larger than a closet.”
Best for: Works well in journalism, complaints, and formal writing to imply injustice.
Informally describes a price that feels sharply and uncomfortably high.
“Twenty dollars for a coffee? That's a little steep, don't you think?”
Best for: Conversational and punchy; ideal for casual speech or snappy dialogue.
So outrageously overpriced it suggests exploitation or near-criminal greed.
“The repair shop quoted an extortionate fee that left her speechless.”
Best for: Strong and accusatory; use when implying the seller is acting in bad faith.
Describing a sum so grand it befits the spending habits of royalty.
“He paid a princely sum for the vintage watch, and never regretted a penny.”
Best for: Carries a tone of grandeur rather than complaint; suits literary or admiring use.
So costly as to threaten financial destruction or serious hardship.
“The legal fees proved ruinous, swallowing the family's savings within months.”
Best for: Dramatic and literary; best for contexts where the cost causes real devastation.
Relating to or characterized by lavish, excessive expenditure beyond ordinary means.
“The sumptuary excess of the gala left guests wondering who could afford the bill.”
Best for: Rare and historically rich; ideal for formal essays or period-flavored prose.
Wordsmith finds curated synonyms for any word, free to try.
Try Wordsmith FreeStrong alternatives to "expensive" include exorbitant, steep, extortionate. Each carries a slightly different shade of meaning, so pick the one that fits your sentence.
Beyond the obvious choices, try princely, ruinous, sumptuary. These read as more precise and less generic than "expensive".
"expensive" is common enough that it can read as filler. Swapping in a more specific alternative usually makes the sentence sharper and more clearly your own.