pay 1 of 2

1
as in to compensate
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received we need to pay the cashier and then we can leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to meet
to give what is owed for you ought to pay that bill before it's overdue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in to yield
to produce as revenue an investment paying six percent

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

pay

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pay distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of pay are compensate, indemnify, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When might compensate be a better fit than pay?

The words compensate and pay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When can indemnify be used instead of pay?

Although the words indemnify and pay have much in common, indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When would recompense be a good substitute for pay?

The meanings of recompense and pay largely overlap; however, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When could reimburse be used to replace pay?

The synonyms reimburse and pay are sometimes interchangeable, but reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

Where would remunerate be a reasonable alternative to pay?

In some situations, the words remunerate and pay are roughly equivalent. However, remunerate clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for.

promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely

When is it sensible to use repay instead of pay?

While in some cases nearly identical to pay, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

When is satisfy a more appropriate choice than pay?

While the synonyms satisfy and pay are close in meaning, satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pay
Verb
Companies are currently paying a 10% universal U.S. tariff that Trump imposed on imports from some 180 nations. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 8 July 2025 Every investment in children’s mental health pays extraordinary dividends — in stronger families, more successful schools, and a healthier community. Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
Noun
Don’t focus on the features of a job—the title, the pay, and so forth. Michael B. Horn, Time, 24 June 2025 Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images Following the news of Alexander's release, it was reported that the longtime star cornerback was not willing to take a pay cut. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay
Verb
  • Despite some backsliding, the EU still holds to its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, by cutting greenhouse gases and compensating for any remaining emissions.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 4 July 2025
  • In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • For Knight, the moment was peak Hollywood meets hip-hop war story, velvet rope diplomacy brokered by the most unlikely shot-caller in purple.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • Your ability to meet others halfway will create partnerships that improve your life and finances for the long haul!
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Her son died six days later, on Thanksgiving Day, after spending nearly a week in a coma.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • Amos has led Aflac for 35 years and has spent more than five decades at the company his family founded.
    Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • One reason the Twins were so down and out was a heinous 17-game stretch by the pitching staff, which yielded nine runs eight times.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • In East Hampton, though, Macklowe has found a village that is unwilling to yield.
    Andrew Rice, Curbed, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Vaughn Hillyard will join MSNBC as senior White House correspondent, as the network has hired a group of journalists for its team in advance of its split from Comcast and sister network NBC News.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • Since incorporating in October, Union has hired a suite of engineers from Tesla, SpaceX and Anduril.
    David Jeans, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • That’s when the 26-year-old’s $7.7 million salary for the 2025-26 season was supposed to be fully guaranteed.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025
  • The Justice Department announced criminal charges Monday in a scheme by North Korea to fund its weapons program through the salaries of remote information technology workers employed unwittingly by U.S. companies.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The biggest drawdowns on those reserves were to make extra pension payments designed to keep the four major pension funds afloat and reduce payments in the long term.
    A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • The conflict escalated rapidly after Canada's Finance Department confirmed Friday that companies would still be required to make their first digital tax payments Monday, despite ongoing negotiations.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Borrowers must typically repay their loans under an IDR plan while working in qualifying nonprofit or government employment on a full-time basis to receive PSLF credit toward loan forgiveness.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • The new agreement, which Fairfield City Council approved March 10, would repay most of that balance to the district, with $300,000 each coming from the city of Fairfield, Cincinnati Holding and Hillwood.
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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