1
as in paid
to give what is owed for
I finally paid off the loan
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bribed
to influence someone with a bribe
she paid off the security guard so that she could steal whatever she liked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paid off
Fast-forward to the end of the first half, and the Lions’ decision (and what would have been Kansas City’s usual strategy) paid off for the home team.
—
Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
That shift paid off – until this year when some Canadian provinces banned American spirits.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Jorge’s efforts have paid off in putting Brazilian jewelry on the map on an international scale.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
The hours of sleuthing the world’s largest online retailer for its Prime Day deals under $100 has finally paid off.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025
Something that costs now in the billions should be built to last, but instead the modern American sports venue is trashed once the 30-year mortgage is paid off.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025
Her effort seems to have paid off.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 7 Oct. 2025
Fortunately for him, the high-stakes mission paid off.
—New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2025
This year alone, there have been monster deals that haven't panned out, like Tanner Scott with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and one-year fliers that have paid off beautifully, like Aroldis Chapman with the Boston Red Sox.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
That shift paid off – until this year when some Canadian provinces banned American spirits.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Jorge’s efforts have paid off in putting Brazilian jewelry on the map on an international scale.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
The hours of sleuthing the world’s largest online retailer for its Prime Day deals under $100 has finally paid off.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025
Something that costs now in the billions should be built to last, but instead the modern American sports venue is trashed once the 30-year mortgage is paid off.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025
Her effort seems to have paid off.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 7 Oct. 2025
Fortunately for him, the high-stakes mission paid off.
—New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2025
This year alone, there have been monster deals that haven't panned out, like Tanner Scott with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and one-year fliers that have paid off beautifully, like Aroldis Chapman with the Boston Red Sox.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paid off
Verb
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So, Castle acquired the rights to Ira Levin's novel, and Paramount Pictures paid Castle a handsome sum to produce Rosemary's Baby.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
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Faced with hunger, instability, and salaries that weren’t paid for months, men and women responded differently.—
Julia Ioffe,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In The Simpsons’ World Cup episode, Homer is asked to referee a match after FIFA fires officials who had been bribed to call matches unfairly.—
Zoe Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
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The scandal exposed how some wealthy families cheated and bribed to secure spots for their children at elite universities, sparking nationwide outrage over denied opportunities for more deserving students.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Paid off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paid%20off. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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