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
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
As Kelly quietly paid off victims with six-figure settlements and escaped accountability, his means of control escalated.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Their hard work paid off in high school, when both received their first Division 1 offers.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The move would be financed utilizing STAR bonds, which would be paid off over 30 years using new state sales tax revenues — and potentially also local taxes — generated within a dedicated district.
—Sofi Zeman
january 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
Student loans were originally designed to be paid off in 10 years, and now there are multiple payment options that extend repayment out to 20 years.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
The entire loan would be paid off by the end of year 16.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
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
As Kelly quietly paid off victims with six-figure settlements and escaped accountability, his means of control escalated.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Their hard work paid off in high school, when both received their first Division 1 offers.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The move would be financed utilizing STAR bonds, which would be paid off over 30 years using new state sales tax revenues — and potentially also local taxes — generated within a dedicated district.
—Sofi Zeman
january 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
Student loans were originally designed to be paid off in 10 years, and now there are multiple payment options that extend repayment out to 20 years.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
The entire loan would be paid off by the end of year 16.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paid off
Verb
-
At the world premiere of Margot Robbie's buzzy new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, the Australian actress paid tribute to Elizabeth Taylor's legendary Hollywood romance with Richard Burton by donning Taylor's iconic Cartier Taj Mahal necklace on the red carpet.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
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The board paid 50 building engineers and 123 cafeteria workers who volunteered to clean schools this month as a stopgap after the two contract rejections.—
Bri Hatch,
Chalkbeat,
30 Jan. 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
-
Thousands of protesters met in front of City Hall in the afternoon, before many marched to the federal detention center, where a mob of violent agitators swarmed the area, pushing a large construction dumpster and blocking the entrance to the building's loading dock.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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No wonder then, when substitute Mia Enderby met Jenna Clark’s cross perfectly in the 92nd minute, putting Liverpool 1-0 up, the cries of celebration spilled out before the ball had officially crossed the goal line.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paid off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paid%20off. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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