opportunity cost
noun
: the added cost of using resources (as for production or speculative investment) that is the difference between the actual value resulting from such use and that of an alternative (such as another use of the same resources or an investment of equal risk but greater return)
Examples of opportunity cost in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Risk isn’t just measured in standard deviation—it’s measured in the opportunity cost of being unprepared.
—
Thierry Brunel, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Using this full-cost accounting method is something university administrators would be wise to consider in their decision-making, given the real opportunity costs of faculty time.
—Joshua M. Pearce, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2025
The opportunity cost is enormous because packaging and presenting data to consumers in the right way can actually build trust and loyalty.
—Graham Gardner, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
With opportunity cost in mind, each dollar spent is thought out more thoroughly.
—Sam Dogen, CNBC, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for opportunity cost
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Thierry Brunel, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Using this full-cost accounting method is something university administrators would be wise to consider in their decision-making, given the real opportunity costs of faculty time.
—Joshua M. Pearce, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2025
The opportunity cost is enormous because packaging and presenting data to consumers in the right way can actually build trust and loyalty.
—Graham Gardner, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
With opportunity cost in mind, each dollar spent is thought out more thoroughly.
—Sam Dogen, CNBC, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for opportunity cost
Cite this Entry
“Opportunity cost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunity%20cost. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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