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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
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Refinancing can reduce monthly payments or allow the loan to be paid off faster.
—Paris Goodman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2025
The winning payoff: a two-week residency in a gorgeous English countryside manor alongside other budding authors.
—Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Verb
His name was soon cleared by authorities, who charged and convicted Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, in federal court with surreptitiously stealing more than $17 million from the Dodgers superstar to pay off an Orange County bookmaker.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Refinancing can reduce monthly payments or allow the loan to be paid off faster.
—Paris Goodman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025
Noun
And will Davion Mitchell be re-upped in free agency as perhaps the ultimate payoff of the Butler trade?
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2025
The winning payoff: a two-week residency in a gorgeous English countryside manor alongside other budding authors.
—Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
Verb
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The Guardians are paying him $10 million this year, and Bieber can opt for a $4 million buyout or a $16 million deal for next season.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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While Keisha’s mom struggles to pay her child’s private school tuition, Justin’s mom casually wears a Vivienne Westwood suit or a Zimmermann ensemble.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
2 June 2025
Verb
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For federal prosecutors in L.A., hanging over the case was the memory of a recent humiliation: the collapse of the Pentagon Papers trial, as a result of the Nixon administration’s attempt to bribe the presiding judge with a job.—
Christopher Goffard,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
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On the same weekend that Budin and Rosenthal tried to bribe Mickey Bruce, a player from Florida reported a similar bribery attempt involving a game between the Gators and Florida State.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Noun
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The upward trend in brand support was so steep for a period of time that some sponsors were accused of exploiting LGBTQ issues for the purpose of turning a profit.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
6 June 2025
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Does the employer pay for the worker’s time, regardless of the outcome, thereby protecting the worker from losses or limiting the right to a profit?—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Competing for the pivotal center position are Carter Miller and Cameron Kinnie, both vying to distinguish themselves and seize this critical spot in the lineup.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
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Netanyahu, having played a pivotal role in supporting Trump's 2018 decision to scrap the nuclear deal secured by former President Barack Obama three years earlier, is once again fueling skepticism toward a new agreement with Tehran.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Since Newsom directed state workers to return to in-person work four days a week starting in July, several unions have filed unfair labor practices that allege the administration violated state labor laws by failing to meet and confer over the impacts of the policy change.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2025
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It was agreed that Minna would meet Constance at home and proceed from there.—
Jim Shepard,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Canada has been in discussions with the European Union to join an EU drive to break its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment, including fighter jets, in Europe.—
Rob Gillies,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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Seeing the same godliness attitude in his child, Han decided to reignite the project and bought the book for his long-time colleague and co-director Maïlys Vallade, who also fell in love with the character.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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In the decisive third set, Sabalenka double-faulted to give Gauff a break for 2-1. Gauff led 3-1 and had break points for 4-1 but Sabalenka held and then broke for 3-all.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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In the seventh, San Francisco landed its decisive blow.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
5 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
“Pay off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20off. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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