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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to spend
to hand over or use up in payment
rock fans were willing to pay enormous sums to get into the concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to hire
to provide with a paying job
pay someone to mow the lawn for the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in salary
the money paid regularly to a person for labor or services
it's difficult to support two children on her pay
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in payment
something (as money) that is given or received in return for goods or services
we should demand pay for all the overtime we're putting in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pay
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The couple was convicted of wire and mail fraud for paying $500,000 to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as rowing recruits, despite not participating in the sport.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Chantelle Lee, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
No matter what, Hull is ready to fight for the rest of the league to receive fair pay and better resources as the Fever’s alternate player rep for the Women’s National Basketball Players Association.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay
Verb
For October, the committee has even more billboards on the way, paid for by Tab lovers across the country.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The couple was convicted of wire and mail fraud for paying $500,000 to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as rowing recruits, despite not participating in the sport.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
Active service members may start going without pay if a deal to end the government shutdown isn’t reached soon, leaders in Washington are warning.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
No matter what, Hull is ready to fight for the rest of the league to receive fair pay and better resources as the Fever’s alternate player rep for the Women’s National Basketball Players Association.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay
Verb
-
Some figures within the music industry have already spoken out about how AI giants are failing to compensate creators properly, with music legend Paul McCartney urging governments to legislate to ensure human musicians get their due.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
26 Oct. 2025
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Officials aim to compensate for California's narrowing refining footprint.—
Sasha Hupka,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Food banks, pantries brace for impact Charitable organizations and the federal food benefits program are part of the safety net working to catch vulnerable families struggling to make ends meet and living paycheck to paycheck.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Trump travels to Tokyo on Monday to meet new Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi, and sorting out this confusion will no doubt be at the top of her agenda.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Veteran Daniele Rugani, who spent last season on loan at Ajax, showed his experience against Kylian Mbappe and maybe that his recent contract renewal was worthwhile after all.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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What started as a weekend hobby quickly grew into a full-fledged business, and Molski, who has since retired from healthcare sales, couldn't be happier to spend his weekends hunting and restoring vintage pieces.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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West Ham have yielded four points from their first nine games, which is their joint-worst return at this stage of a league campaign, since the 1932-33 and 1973-74 seasons.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Foundation Rock, discovered in 2024, is already yielding stunning insights into the fascinating city of Cobá.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Twenty days after the trade, Kupchak stepped down from his position and transitioned into an advisory role, coinciding with the Hornets hiring former Nets executive Jeff Peterson as their new general manager.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
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Brody was also joined onscreen by his wife, Leighton Meester, who played an influencer and former friend of Joanne (Kristen Bell) who hired Noah for her baby-naming ceremony.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Per the outlet, the complaint claimed VVV did not pay Miss USA 2024 winner Alma Cooper her full $100,000 salary.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Entry-level North Little Rock police officers earn an annual salary of approximately $52,950.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In 2022, Bureau of Land Management officials updated a program to incentivize adoptions of wild horses and burros by offering a $1,000 payment for the adoption of an animal removed from federal public lands.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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City residents who apply for flood assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency may be eligible for a one-time $300 Clean and Sanitize Assistance payment, which helps with mold cleanup and addressing potential health concerns related to mold.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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City officials warn that shutting down the streetcar could require repaying $48 million in federal funds and jeopardize future transit funding.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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Before, insurers had to repay only 30 percent of coverage up to $250,000.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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