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
There was also a huge fear of taking a bet on another kind of life, but one that for her has paid off.
—
Rachel Clarke, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Advertisement That commitment certainly paid off for the Land of the Rising Sun in Milan, as the skating program experienced its brightest Olympics yet, winning six medals in figure skating.
—Alice Park, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Five years later, that gamble has paid off — big time.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 14 Feb. 2026
That work has paid off for Denton, ranked fourth in the state among Class 5A teams.
—Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Rachel Clarke, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Advertisement That commitment certainly paid off for the Land of the Rising Sun in Milan, as the skating program experienced its brightest Olympics yet, winning six medals in figure skating.
—Alice Park, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Five years later, that gamble has paid off — big time.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 14 Feb. 2026
That work has paid off for Denton, ranked fourth in the state among Class 5A teams.
—Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paid off
Verb
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When factoring in the exclusion date, the data shows that Arizona has not paid out any claims to providers once they were caught.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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Now, this episode is extra special because Annie and I have actually paid out big bucks to get furry co-hosts to talk firsthand about their feelings on water, making his podcast debut all the way from the New Orleans streets, my elderly orange and white Tabby George.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When those efforts were ineffective, Roefaro bribed Taylor with tens of thousands of dollars in cash payments, between which Taylor issued a memo recommending the NYPD award the company a contract worth more than $11 million, according to the indictment.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
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Some patients were bribed with cash or drugs, state officials have said.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The use of the system near the city came before the FAA and Pentagon met to review potential impacts and mitigation measures.—
Pete Muntean,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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For many in Chicago, weekly gatherings at Rainbow PUSH became a forum where local concerns met national attention.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paid off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paid%20off. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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