buy off
verb
bought off; buying off; buys off
1
: to induce to refrain (as from prosecution) by a payment or other consideration
2
: to free (as from military service) by payment
Examples of buy off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But justice moved slowly, over four years, and then was bought off.
—
Rachel Nolan, The New York Review of Books, 16 Feb. 2023
In the late 1940s, Camorra criminal clans flourished in the black market that emerged in Naples after World War II, securing control of the city’s shipbuilding industry, port infrastructure and banks — with bosses frequently buying off local politicians.
—Leo Sands, Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2023
The Institutional Revolutionary Party, known as the PRI, dominated political life in Mexico for decades by rigging elections, buying off labor unions and suppressing dissent.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2023
They can’t be bought off of the shelves from an Hermès boutique.
—Justin Ray, Robb Report, 24 July 2023
For advanced liberal democracies, buying off others to keep migrants at bay may also come at a high political and moral cost.
—Kelly M. Greenhill, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
But many functions of modern heavy equipment, including vehicles in the U.S. military, are controlled by standard video game controllers anyone can buy off a Best Buy shelf.
—Gene Park, Washington Post, 20 June 2023
The Institutional Revolutionary Party, known as the PRI, dominated by rigging elections, buying off labor unions and suppressing dissent.
—Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2023
In an Instagram Story posted over the weekend, Biles revealed that her tiered halter-neck gown, as well as her shoes, bouquet and wedding band, were bought off of Amazon the week of.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2023
See More
Rachel Nolan, The New York Review of Books, 16 Feb. 2023
In the late 1940s, Camorra criminal clans flourished in the black market that emerged in Naples after World War II, securing control of the city’s shipbuilding industry, port infrastructure and banks — with bosses frequently buying off local politicians.
—Leo Sands, Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2023
The Institutional Revolutionary Party, known as the PRI, dominated political life in Mexico for decades by rigging elections, buying off labor unions and suppressing dissent.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2023
They can’t be bought off of the shelves from an Hermès boutique.
—Justin Ray, Robb Report, 24 July 2023
For advanced liberal democracies, buying off others to keep migrants at bay may also come at a high political and moral cost.
—Kelly M. Greenhill, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
But many functions of modern heavy equipment, including vehicles in the U.S. military, are controlled by standard video game controllers anyone can buy off a Best Buy shelf.
—Gene Park, Washington Post, 20 June 2023
The Institutional Revolutionary Party, known as the PRI, dominated by rigging elections, buying off labor unions and suppressing dissent.
—Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2023
In an Instagram Story posted over the weekend, Biles revealed that her tiered halter-neck gown, as well as her shoes, bouquet and wedding band, were bought off of Amazon the week of.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buy off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1614, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Dictionary Entries Near buy off
Cite this Entry
“Buy off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buy%20off. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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