1
2
as in to bribe
to influence someone with a bribe
she paid off the security guard so that she could steal whatever she liked
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in profit
the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received
the payoff on the investment was only about $500
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pivotal
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pay off
ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
That commitment to authenticity appears to have paid off.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Stahl worked the count full and, on the payoff pitch, checked his swing and controversially drew a walk, ending Pappas’ perfect game bid.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Verb
Coach Brad Underwood’s emphasis on recruiting in Eastern Europe has paid off in this tournament.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
That commitment to authenticity appears to have paid off.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
While the 30-year option may not be advantageous for most homeowners now, the 15-year alternative could be, assuming the borrower wants to expedite their payoff timeline (and, potentially, can afford larger monthly payments due to that reduction).
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Stahl worked the count full and, on the payoff pitch, checked his swing and controversially drew a walk, ending Pappas’ perfect game bid.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Not wrong for much of the last three decades — but Saturday night’s gig, and all the joyous revelry surrounding it, showed why the Live ’25 Tour has been payoff enough for none of them to look back in anger at any of it.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
Verb
-
And the Panthers feel safe with the rest of their inside linebacker depth to not have to pay a lot of money to retain a backup, particularly with the way Cherelus played in 2025.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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The parents had each paid nine hundred dollars; most had found Squire online.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Two executives of a large utility, FirstEnergy, are now on trial for allegedly bribing Randazzo, who died by suicide after his own indictment.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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According to grand jury transcripts disclosed by the DOJ from the criminal case against Noel, an FBI agent testified banking records of the guards were examined, and there was no evidence that Noel or Thomas had been bribed.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The House bill, which takes aim at members of Congress and executive branch officials like the president, seeks to take the potential for profit out of decision-making by public officials.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
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The company would then charge more for those loans to ensure profit even in cases where borrowers ultimately failed to keep up with payments, according to internal emails and a slide deck that described findings in the multistate investigation.—
Conrad Wilson,
ProPublica,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Martinez said mental health care is pivotal to reaching the people who need it most.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fast-food restaurants, once the first stop for Americans looking to get at least one meal in before a long work day, are fighting to win back customers.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Compared with Let’s Move’s easygoing recommendations—children should get at least one hour of physical activity each day, and everyone should drink one more glass of water—MAHA is also considerably more macho.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The boxing world, in general, is also kind of identifying this as a watershed moment, in many ways.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The early 1990s were a watershed moment for female health.—
Annalisa Merelli,
STAT,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Within eight minutes, the New Kensington fire department arrived and was met with heavy flames at the back of the house.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The teams meet for the third time this season.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Going to a local bike shop instead of buying online can help, enabling riders to ask questions, take a test ride and learn what’s legal and what isn’t.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Whoever sold oil futures and bought stock futures had made a lot of money in a short time.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pay off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20off. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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