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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
Kelby Woodard,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
And so far, it’s paid off — literally.
—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2026
Ajai Sehgal,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
For employers, the payoff is uncertain.
—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Verb
Three decades of running schools and businesses have convinced me this pays off in ordinary and measurable ways.
—
Kelby Woodard,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
And so far, it’s paid off — literally.
—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2026
Noun
The payoff is huge with better auditability, lower latency, tighter data governance and far more predictable performance where it’s needed.
—
Ajai Sehgal,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
For employers, the payoff is uncertain.
—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
25 June 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
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Yet despite those struggles, South Africa, one of Africa’s leading industrial economies, remains a destination for migrants willing to take low-paying jobs in domestic work, security and agriculture.
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Democrats say the Republican plan would hurt low- and middle-income Georgians, who would end up paying more in taxes.
Verb
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Several more opposition members were arrested Friday on similar charges of bribing voters.
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Similar raids by the feds at addresses tied to then-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and then-San Leandro City Councilmember Bryan Azevedo eventually led to criminal indictments against both politicians, as well as the businessmen accused of bribing them.
Noun
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On Saturday and Sunday their restaurants — Nobby’s and The Cheese Steak Shop — will donate their profits to the families of Hull and Johnson.
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As a nonprofit organization, all of the profits from Rainbow Wool go to LSVD+, the largest nongovernmental organization in Germany advocating for LGBTQ+ people.
Adjective
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The pivotal match itself — the semifinal encounter against hosts Uruguay — is also more convincingly depicted and dramatic, particularly for how one of the goals is assisted by an interfering policeman (incredibly, this did actually happen).
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The pivotal Civil War battle would last for three bloody days.
Verb
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The United States and Iran have agreed to meet in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday for further discussions, according to another US official.
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Sources told Axios that both sides agreed to halt attacks on each other and meet in Qatar on Tuesday to resolve differences over the Strait of Hormuz.
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.
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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.
Adjective
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The watershed decision triggered a period of political instability and economic upheaval that is still being felt a decade later.
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In its April 26 letter, the watershed advisory board said the training center project could harm the Fenton River, a major contributor to the 164-square-mile watershed, the largest in the state.
Verb
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The de Kansky family settled in California, first in Los Angeles, then in Newport Beach, followed by three years in Altadena before buying a home in Sierra Madre.
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Thibodeau refused to buy in, so a change came.
Cite this Entry
“Pay off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20off. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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