pay 1 of 2

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to meet
to give what is owed for you ought to pay that bill before it's overdue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in to yield
to produce as revenue an investment paying six percent

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

pay

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pay
Verb
There’s the case of Robert (Standing Deer) Wilson, who approached you and basically confessed to being paid to put a hit on you. Nick Estes, New Yorker, 26 June 2025 Jordan shot Marter in the back of the head before her banker husband paid a $25,000 ransom for her return on Jan. 12, 1976. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Noun
Don’t focus on the features of a job—the title, the pay, and so forth. Michael B. Horn, Time, 24 June 2025 Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images Following the news of Alexander's release, it was reported that the longtime star cornerback was not willing to take a pay cut. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay
Verb
  • Not only does this type of pain point to an underlying injury, pushing through can lead to a secondary injury, because other muscles and tissues absorb extra stress to compensate.
    Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 23 June 2025
  • It was created with a single question in mind: Why do most work boots fail the people who wear them every day? Uncomfortable fits, tight toe boxes, and poor longevity have often left many tradespeople compensating.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • The nomination comes just two days after Trump met with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir at the White House.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • After learning that Ayden Heaven had met Eintracht Frankfurt officials during the winter transfer window, Wilcox arranged for the teenage Arsenal defender to visit Old Trafford for the Europa League meeting with Rangers on January 23.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors allege that one of the defendants and other co-conspirators spent three days on-site scouting an international jewelry show in San Mateo, Calif., including making multiple calls to each other, to plan the robbery.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 June 2025
  • Most entrepreneurs spend their time trying to optimize their funnel, fix their ads or tweak their landing page.
    Rudy Mawer, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • One reason the Twins were so down and out was a heinous 17-game stretch by the pitching staff, which yielded nine runs eight times.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • The settlement, which is expected to make rates more predictable in coming years, is slated to yield $8.3 million in savings for the authority in 2027 and $23 million in 2028.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The team hired an investment bank to begin the process of selling a controlling interest in the club, according to an Earthquakes news release.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
  • Burke learned that during those eight months alone, the daughter hired someone to come in, leave food for Kurt and change his litter.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The lawsuit claims that Robinson was paid a salary of $125,000 by the Chiefs, but that his research found other NFL teams paid comparable positions an average salary of $171,932, not including other benefits.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2025
  • As a result, look for the Hornets to keep him on the books until training camp in case his contract can be matching salary in a trade.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The tax department needs to ensure that these taxability rules are applied correctly, that transaction data is collected and reported and that payments are submitted to the appropriate government tax authorities.
    Sal Visca, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Depp’s camp said the deal includes a $1 million payment from her to him to settle all financial claims.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • These half-century-old awards, which don’t need to be repaid, make a big difference in whether students from families of modest means enroll and stay in college, their supporters say.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Under the law, customers would remain responsible for whatever costs are approved by PURA, but repay them in smaller monthly installments over a longer period.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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