pay down

verb

Definition of pay downnext
as in to pay off

Related Words

Relevance

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 down Harder to pay down debt The relentlessly high gas prices are exacerbating the affordability crisis affecting many Americans. — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026 To pay down debt, consider starting a side hustle like freelance work or a part-time job for supplemental income. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 That leftover money can be used to pay down debt, though the figure already accounts for interest expenses. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Before applying, review your credit reports for errors, make other debt payments on time and pay down credit card and other debt balances when possible. — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay down
  1. pay off
  2. satisfy
Verb
  • Courtesy of SolComms But for SolComms, the risks of loosening office requirements for a month seem to have paid off.
    — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Lago says the city’s extra payments are part of a strategy to pay off debt faster and have more money available in the future.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of pay off
Verb
  • But other fairly savvy users among tech mavens don’t point to urgent needs that only Muse can satisfy.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Visually stylish and well-acted, this is a pulpy thriller that satisfies.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of satisfy

Browse Nearby Words

pay dirts
pay down
pay envelope
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pay down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20down. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of discreet

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All