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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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of payoff
P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
That leaves a huge amount of untapped revenue for AI companies that must pay off hundreds of billions in capital expenditures to build out their AI footprints.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 June 2025
The immediate payoff of Johnson’s arrival remains unmatched.
—James Jackson, New York Times, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for payoff
Noun
Eighty-two participants have been selected for the program, each will receive $2,000 to pay off debts, start a savings account or make other investments.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
That leaves a huge amount of untapped revenue for AI companies that must pay off hundreds of billions in capital expenditures to build out their AI footprints.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
Plus, the explosion of sports betting and the financial payoffs hanging in the balance offer another reason to improve officiating and judging.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 June 2025
The immediate payoff of Johnson’s arrival remains unmatched.
—James Jackson, New York Times, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for payoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payoff
Verb
-
The cost of the wedding has been estimated at up to nearly $50M, infuriating locals and activists who claim Amazon pays minimal taxes in European countries and point to Bezos’ use of his extreme personal wealth to effectively take over parts of the historic city, disrupting daily life.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
26 June 2025
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And the companies that pay attention will reap the benefits.—
Yola Robert,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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More millions to bribe politicians to ease child labor requirements.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Federal prosecutors argued Combs and his associates were worried about being arrested after the attack on Ventura caught on 2016 hotel surveillance cameras and sought to bribe a security guard in return for the footage.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
27 June 2025
Noun
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According to the Harvard Business Review, a 1% improvement in pricing can drive up to an 11% increase in profits.—
Vidhi Agrawal,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Within the first year, the business not only turned a profit but recouped the entire startup investment.—
Rhiannon Frater,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2025
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Jota also notably became the first player in Wolves club history to score back-to-back European hat-tricks and was pivotal in their Europa League run.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 July 2025
Verb
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After completing the first big area of the game and meeting a giant god-like ape that resembles a headphone-wearing homage to The Jungle Book’s King Louie, a musical sequence shatters the stone revealing it to be a young girl named Pauline.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
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The project sits near Hialeah, where Florida’s Turnpike meets Interstate 75.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Similarly, even before our government pulled U.S. products from liquor stores, many Canadians had stopped buying American.—
Stephen Marche,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2025
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The agency alleged that Kubler used investor money to make Ponzi-like payments to earlier investors and also used that money for personal use, including payments to a winery, buying antiques and paying for online dating services.—
Sydney Sasser,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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February 2025 Queen of Swords: February’s energy is pushing you to set clear boundaries and make decisive moves, especially in your financial or professional life this month.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
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The decisive sequence started off with Martínez bearing down on Freese, his teammate at New York City FC, throwing him off with a wink before placing a cool kick as Freese dove the wrong way.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Instead, the person must show race was the crucial and deciding factor.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Payoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payoff. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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