buy off

verb

bought off; buying off; buys off

transitive verb

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
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.
This is the sharper version of the cynical read, that the companies are buying off the regulators. Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 Once the new designs are approved (sometime this year, if all goes well), the DoB plans to publish the specs so that any contractor can download the design, buy off-the-shelf elements, tailor the structure to the site, and get a scheme approved in a matter of hours. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 June 2026 The radical Republicans and the conservative Republicans and the Democrats who had been bought off. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026 Christopher then bought off CLEAResult employees. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buy off

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of buy off was in 1614

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Cite this Entry

“Buy off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buy%20off. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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