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
Poll results from Japanese outlet NHK showed that the risk paid off, with the LDP winning 316 seats out of the 465 up for grabs in the House, well above the 233 needed for a simply majority.
—
Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 8 Feb. 2026
The outstanding balance on that credit card, according to some accounts, could likely be transitioned into an installment loan that had to be paid off.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Lamont pointed out that the state has paid off $10 billion in debt.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Those Fourth of July pow-wows had paid off.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Although firms are bullish on AI’s potential, the technology has not yet paid off, and investors are reacting to uncertainty about its actual value.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
The decision to bring in transfer point guard Kam Woods at the end of the fall semester once again paid off for the Trojans (16-6 overall, 5-6 Big Ten).
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
On Saturday, the city’s decade-long quest, bolstered by hundreds of hours of volunteer efforts and $4 million in community donations and grants, finally paid off with the opening of the 6,200-square-foot SunCoast Market Co-Op located at 600 Palm Avenue.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
That diligence paid off, and on Main Street, businesses were quickly up and running, providing us with resources and sustenance.
—Erin Austen Abbott, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 8 Feb. 2026
The outstanding balance on that credit card, according to some accounts, could likely be transitioned into an installment loan that had to be paid off.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Lamont pointed out that the state has paid off $10 billion in debt.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Those Fourth of July pow-wows had paid off.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Although firms are bullish on AI’s potential, the technology has not yet paid off, and investors are reacting to uncertainty about its actual value.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
The decision to bring in transfer point guard Kam Woods at the end of the fall semester once again paid off for the Trojans (16-6 overall, 5-6 Big Ten).
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
On Saturday, the city’s decade-long quest, bolstered by hundreds of hours of volunteer efforts and $4 million in community donations and grants, finally paid off with the opening of the 6,200-square-foot SunCoast Market Co-Op located at 600 Palm Avenue.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
That diligence paid off, and on Main Street, businesses were quickly up and running, providing us with resources and sustenance.
—Erin Austen Abbott, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paid off
Verb
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The annuity is paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, according to the Mega Millions website.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
7 Feb. 2026
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Bank statements from the DOJ’s latest release also appeared to show that Epstein paid a total of $75,000 into bank accounts linked to Mandelson between 2003 and 2004.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors allege that developers bribed officials to expedite building permits and approve projects.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
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Some kids run at the sound of running water in the bathtub; others need to be bribed just to look at a vegetable.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The note included a demand for money with a deadline set for Thursday evening and a second one for Monday if the first deadline wasn't met, said Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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Federal officials met in San Diego on Thursday to discuss the government’s response to the decades-long Tijuana River sewage crisis, with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin expressing confidence in Mexico’s commitment to completing infrastructure projects aimed at ending years of cross-border pollution.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paid off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paid%20off. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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