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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pay off
Ira Porter, Christian Science Monitor, 14 May 2025
Chasing trends for clout kills credibility, and the risk pays off when brands build real loyalty.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Apr. 2025
Payment plan: With your approval, a debt-relief company can set up a payment plan to pay off your outstanding balance or a lower payoff amount.
—Dana Miranda, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Verb
Free tuition as an enrollment strategy already seems to be paying off elsewhere in higher education.
—Ira Porter, Christian Science Monitor, 14 May 2025
Chasing trends for clout kills credibility, and the risk pays off when brands build real loyalty.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
France’s immediate support is a payoff from seeds Carney planted early in his leadership.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Apr. 2025
Payment plan: With your approval, a debt-relief company can set up a payment plan to pay off your outstanding balance or a lower payoff amount.
—Dana Miranda, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
Verb
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In 2017, the county paid $100,000 for NCCHC consultants to tour its four largest jails and flag any deficiencies that would keep the sheriff from earning accreditation.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
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At every turn, parents are paying more — sometimes hundreds more — for the basics.—
Lindsay Owens,
Rolling Stone,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Hackers have been stealing Coinbase customer information by bribing the company’s overseas support agents for access.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
15 May 2025
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Qatar also allegedly bribed FIFA officials for the rights to the World Cup in the first place.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Total operating profit jumped 146.9% to $666 million.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 May 2025
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The plaintiffs still need to prove that the search giant’s actions were responsible for the decline in their profits — a hurdle that Kersting, the law professor, said could be difficult to clear.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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More news: Yankees Make Trade, Send Pitcher to NL Central Club In the 2021 postseason, Matzek played a pivotal role in the Braves' World Series run, going 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 13 appearances and 15.2 innings.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
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Michaels, 35, was playing a foot soldier in the White Walkers’ army of the dead during a climactic battle sequence in The Long Night, the pivotal third episode in Season 8.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Sutton and Rogers met before her murder and are believed to have slept together.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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This particular carry-on meets size restriction standards for Southwest, Delta, United, American and Allegiant.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Established in January 2023, my store aims to be a welcoming sanctuary, more than just a place to buy books.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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Georgie, meanwhile, seeks to buy the auto shop after Jim considers selling it to a local rival, Fred Fagenbacher (Matt Letscher).—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
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Charlotte’s victory in the series-deciding finale improved its record to 3-4 all time in its modern history (since 1994) and was the second in three season; Charlotte won the decisive third game of a best-of-three series in 2023 over Lehigh Valley.—
Richard Walker,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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The bullpen gave up the lead on the first pitch, and then three more in the deciding 10th inning.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2025
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Travis weeks earlier cited as the deciding and unprecedented factor.—
Chris Vannini,
The Athletic,
9 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pay off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20off. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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