1
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 payoff
Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2025
Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
The trade pays off if the S & P drops more than this initial correction investors have already endured — a realistic tail scenario if earnings or growth surprises disappoint.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
This week’s episode is one that’s full of joy and inspiration and the payoffs of believing in yourself.
—Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payoff
Verb
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
Noun
Jorge’s efforts have paid off in putting Brazilian jewelry on the map on an international scale.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
The trade pays off if the S & P drops more than this initial correction investors have already endured — a realistic tail scenario if earnings or growth surprises disappoint.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
There's not payoff beyond that.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
This week’s episode is one that’s full of joy and inspiration and the payoffs of believing in yourself.
—Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payoff
Verb
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What To Know According to the Associated Press (AP), the vote enables the county Board of Supervisors to approve rent relief efforts to tenants who cannot afford to pay their monthly costs of living due to the immigration crackdowns.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
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Through their performances, the 10 remaining couples will pay tribute to influential people in their lives.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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According to court records, Recio agreed to bribe Costanzo, who was the DEA supervisor in Miami, in exchange for his providing the private investigator with confidential information about narcotics investigations.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
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In The Simpsons’ World Cup episode, Homer is asked to referee a match after FIFA fires officials who had been bribed to call matches unfairly.—
Zoe Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Studies show that fines that don’t put a significant dent in a company’s profit don’t deter companies from future violations, Leffel said.—
Anjeanette Damon,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Its sales are large, its profits are larger.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For director and producer Robert Eric Wise, the goal of the documentary was to introduce more young people to the work and accomplishments of pivotal Black Fort Worth residents.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Oct. 2025
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Chris Jones’ effort — or lack thereof — on a pivotal late play became a national talking point.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
12 Oct. 2025
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.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
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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.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During her first week on the job, Weiss embarked on a listening tour of the network and met with top staff and producers, many of whom left the meetings with cautious optimism about the network’s future.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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Those teams, who have met in the past two conference championship games, play next Saturday at Albertsons Stadium.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He was thrilled when, at age 12, his parents bought a Baldwin grand piano secondhand from the University of Central Arkansas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Oct. 2025
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If viewers buy into this concept of a mobile academy, season 3 won't be far behind.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Transgender people were particularly targeted for harassment, Miss Major said in the USA TODAY interview, recalling the night of the raid, now regarded as a watershed moment in LGBTQ+ history and American history.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
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Its arrival marks a watershed moment for the creator economy — and for the comedians trying to make waves within it.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Payoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payoff. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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