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
3
as in to spend
to hand over or use up in payment
rock fans were willing to pay enormous sums to get into the concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to hire
to provide with a paying job
pay someone to mow the lawn for the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in salary
the money paid regularly to a person for labor or services
it's difficult to support two children on her pay
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in payment
something (as money) that is given or received in return for goods or services
we should demand pay for all the overtime we're putting in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pay
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The couple was convicted of wire and mail fraud for paying $500,000 to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as rowing recruits, despite not participating in the sport.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Both unions are seeking better pay for their members, better staffing levels and other improved working conditions.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay
Verb
For October, the committee has even more billboards on the way, paid for by Tab lovers across the country.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The couple was convicted of wire and mail fraud for paying $500,000 to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as rowing recruits, despite not participating in the sport.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
That promise led some on social media to question how the city would draw talented officers without raising pay, which likely would require increasing taxes, not cutting them.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Both unions are seeking better pay for their members, better staffing levels and other improved working conditions.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay
Verb
-
By contrast, in states like Nevada, where more than 1,000 nuclear tests conducted in the 1950s and '60s exposed civilians to radiation, individuals have been compensated with up to $100,000.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Setup ease comes courtesy of autofocus, keystone correction, fit-to-screen and a tool that can compensate for uneven surfaces.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The actor had previously met success with the first film in Netflix's The Kissing Booth series, but his searing performance as the nervy, brooding jock Nate Jacobs was among the most potent features that made Euphoria a water cooler hit.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Oct. 2025
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The council has met regularly since the fall to collect public input and formulate recommendations, but the final proposal for a graduation standard to the governor will be made by the Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Veteran Daniele Rugani, who spent last season on loan at Ajax, showed his experience against Kylian Mbappe and maybe that his recent contract renewal was worthwhile after all.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
What started as a weekend hobby quickly grew into a full-fledged business, and Molski, who has since retired from healthcare sales, couldn't be happier to spend his weekends hunting and restoring vintage pieces.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dough at room temperature will yield flat cookies.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Animal models, on the other hand, are more biologically complete but expensive, slow to yield results, and not always reliable for predicting human outcomes.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But as multiple advertising world sources note, Apple has hired its fair share of TV and streaming video veterans over the past couple of years, which, when combined with this newfound desire to cut deals to expand Apple TV’s reach, is certainly suggestive of broader ambitions.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Oct. 2025
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As part of its hiring blitz, the agency has dropped age, training and education standards and has offered recruits signing bonuses as high as $50,000.—
J. David McSwane,
ProPublica,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The district also seeks a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for class sizes, alternative education programs, electives, teacher salaries, specialty schools, safety and support services and athletic programs.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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The terms of Mike Hill’s contract will be honored, including a financial payout of his $420,000 base salary through June 30, 2030.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Upon the basis of these findings, Congress declares that the constitutional right of citizens to vote is denied or abridged in some areas by the requirement of the payment of a poll tax as a precondition to voting.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
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In an interview with Fortune, cofounder and CEO Renaud Laplanche explained that Upgrade managed to thrive during a broader reckoning for neobanks because of product diversification and a focus on loans, which can offer a far greater margin than transaction payments.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
City officials warn that shutting down the streetcar could require repaying $48 million in federal funds and jeopardize future transit funding.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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Before, insurers had to repay only 30 percent of coverage up to $250,000.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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