Synonyms of pay

pay 1 of 2

verb

ˈpā 

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

• compensate
• repay
• reimburse
• refund
• remunerate
• recompense
• prepay
• pay up
• remit
• pay off
• requite

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stiff

2

as in to meet

to give what is owed for

you ought to pay that bill before it's overdue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• meet
• settle
• balance
• stand
• pay up
• discharge
• pay off
• liquidate
• clear
• quit
• foot
• recompense
• spring (for)
• ante (up)
• pony up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repudiate

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

• spend
• give
• disburse
• expend
• lay out
• outlay
• drop
• shell out
• fork (over, out, or up)
• lavish
• waste
• rain
• throw away
• blow
• run through
• dissipate
• squander
• fritter (away)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• save
• earn
• make
• acquire
• win
• realize
• gain
• secure
• procure
• hoard
• lay up
• cache
• garner

4

as in to yield

to produce as revenue

an investment paying six percent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• yield
• give
• return
• provide
• afford
• bear
• supply
• furnish
• bring in
• net
• pay off

5

as in to hire

to provide with a paying job

pay someone to mow the lawn for the summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hire
• employ
• recruit
• fee
• engage
• retain
• place
• job
• assume
• sign (up or on)
• enlist
• take on
• lay on
• partner
• contract
• promote
• subcontract
• rehire
• reemploy
• upgrade
• keep (on)
• reengage
• apprentice
• advance
• scout
• headhunt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• can
• sack
• dismiss
• discharge
• ax
• fire
• lay off
• lock out
• furlough

pay

2 of 2

noun

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

• salary
• wage
• payment
• paycheck
• stipend
• hire
• pay envelope
• emolument
• compensation
• overtime
• minimum wage
• earnings
• reimbursement
• packet
• repayment
• living wage
• reparation
• return
• double time
• redress
• profit
• restitution
• recompense
• take-home pay
• remittance
• nominal wages
• remuneration
• recoupment
• takings
• time and a half
• yield
• requital

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

• payment
• compensation
• salary
• reparation
• consideration
• wage(s)
• recompense
• reimbursement
• remittance
• remuneration
• stipend
• refund
• outlay
• repayment
• rental
• indemnity
• adjustment
• settlement
• expenditure
• redress
• restitution
• deposit
• rebate
• rent
• prepayment
• requital
• disbursement
• recoupment
• overpayment

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

Recent Examples of pay

Verb

At issue in the contract negotiations are the reimbursement rates for services that Aetna pays to UConn Health — the parent of John Dempsey Hospital, a network of clinics and more than 700 providers. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026

Should the agency decide to suspend the programs, millions of travelers who paid for expedited screening and faster customs processing could find themselves back in the regular lines. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026

Noun

Misrepresenting the incentive pay drivers can earn in exchange for completing certain tasks. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026

The cost of the firefighter pay and the settlements together totals about $449 million. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

Phrases Containing pay

• pay back
• pay envelope
• pay off
• pay up