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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
Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
From a roster standpoint, those relationships immediately paid off, with the Lakers having multiple players on their roster who Redick was teammates with before retiring: Luka Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber and Shake Milton.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2025
Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Following an excellent spring after signing a one-year, $15 million deal, Verlander looked as advertised in the first inning, retiring the side in the first inning with two strikeouts, ending the frame by freezing Elly De La Cruz with a payoff curveball.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Verb
But for Rodgers – who ran his best time in the two-mile his senior year at Wesleyan then stopped running – the association would pay off down the road.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
From a roster standpoint, those relationships immediately paid off, with the Lakers having multiple players on their roster who Redick was teammates with before retiring: Luka Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber and Shake Milton.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
The payoff will depend as much on Washington as on Brussels or Berlin.
—Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Following an excellent spring after signing a one-year, $15 million deal, Verlander looked as advertised in the first inning, retiring the side in the first inning with two strikeouts, ending the frame by freezing Elly De La Cruz with a payoff curveball.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
Verb
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In the next bracket up, 24%, most couples are also paying a 3.8% investment tax, for a combined federal rate of 27.8%.—
William Baldwin,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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Lionel Messi, who met the pope in 2013, paid tribute to on the social network X, posting a picture of the pope accepting an olive tree from him.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But the alleged loopholes in the carrier’s security may refer to how hackers previously tried to bribe T-Mobile employees into engineering SIM swaps.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
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His administration has even rolled back anti-corruption measures that prevent foreign governments from bribing U.S. government officials.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In 2016, the NBA reduced its playoff cut to 25%, providing a significant boost in the opportunity for postseason profits.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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At least not for Disney, which gave it a brief try and has now meekly implied that for it, profits come before principles.—
Thomas Elias,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Given the lack of standardized transparency across global skincare markets, in-house production serves a pivotal role.—
Xandra Harbet,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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The same videos played a pivotal role in the last trial, when a witness counted the drinks Read appeared to drink at both establishments.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In February 2024, Francis met with the trustees of the University of Notre Dame, a Catholic institution in Indiana.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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The Hall of Fame voting panel will meet May 20 in Charlotte and determine the Class of 2026.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The ultra cute pack comes with four floral socks, plus for every item bought, the brand gives back a pair to someone in need.—
Brie Schwartz,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
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Sure, the Bears did a masterful job of fortifying the interior of the offensive line in March, buying themselves flexibility to navigate the draft with eyes scanning in all directions.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That’s exactly what WWE fans got inside Allegiant Stadium, with a short but sweet bout that ended in decisive fashion when Cargill demolished Naomi with a massive Jaded finisher.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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And, in fact, Democrats are winning special elections month after month after month, including most recently a decisive one in Wisconsin earlier this month for the state Supreme Court.—
Isabel Danzis,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 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 3 May. 2025.
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