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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
-
That payment was bumped to $2 million when Blitzer took over; NWSL prices were already on the rise, and that was in line with what Angel City and the San Diego Wave paid when they were awarded teams in 2020 and 2021.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
8 July 2025
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And pay special attention to those easy-to-wear Madewell barrel jeans, which are truly beloved among Glamour editors.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
8 July 2025
Verb
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More millions to bribe politicians to ease child labor requirements.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
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
-
This is the first of a six-part series looking at figures who have played a pivotal role in a modern football success story.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
3 July 2025
-
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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When looking to book the best hotels in Lisbon, you’re met with a myriad of enticing—albeit unconventional—options.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
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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Google signed a deal to buy power generated through nuclear fusion, only the second such agreement to use the as-yet-unviable technology.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
1 July 2025
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When the officers did not buy his story, Brown then claimed the home belonged to his grandparents, police said.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
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
-
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
-
Instead, the person must show race was the crucial and deciding factor.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
-
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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