paying 1 of 3

Definition of payingnext

paying

2 of 3

noun

as in payment
the act of offering money in exchange for goods or services the actual shopping was quick, but with the long lines, paying for the stuff seemed to take forever

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

paying

3 of 3

verb

present participle of pay
1
as in compensating
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received we need to pay the cashier and then we can leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
as in giving
to produce as revenue an investment paying six percent

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of paying
Adjective
All roles are open and non-paying. Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026 Customers will still be able to preload $35 for unlimited seven-day travel onto an OMNY card — riding free after paying for 12 trips in any seven-day period — though pre-paying is not required for the unlimited rides. Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026 Under Niccol, Starbucks has brought back its tradition of baristas doodling on cups in Sharpie pens; reinstated self-serve milk and sugar stations; cut 30% of the food and drink menu; ended its open-bathroom policy for non-paying customers; and laid off 1,100 corporate employees in February. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025 So, while a paying customer willing to spend $100 on a coin bundle will typically receive around 100 Sweeps Coins as a bonus, the non-paying customer who mails in a postcard is capped at 5 Sweeps Coins – a nominal amount. Daniel Wallach, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
The inevitable capitalistic evolution of the House settlement that allowed for the paying of athletes guaranteed there would be winners and losers, and the winners are – no surprise – the signal-callers. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 Balanced growth, roads and other infrastructure, continuing a positive approach to economic development, attracting industry and high paying jobs. Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025 Notably, Ditto is the best paying of the three, but doesn’t accept freelancers from California, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
This hits home for us in Massachusetts, and residents should be paying attention. Jennifer Nassour, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026 Consumers are paying more attention than ever before. Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026 Schoolchildren were advised to stay warm by wearing several layers of loose, warm clothing, using gloves, hats, and scarves, and paying special attention to keeping hands, head, feet, and ears warm and dry. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026 The measure raised modest revenues, which fell as rich people moved out of the country to avoid paying, and the measure was repealed by the government of President Emmanuel Macron in 2017. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 In doing so, drivers can ensure their insurer has accurate information, thereby keeping them protected without paying more than necessary. Ethan M. Stone, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026 No one likes paying for insurance — and mounting premiums in 2025 didn't help matters. Liz Knueven, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026 That means new state sales tax money — and possibly local too — throughout that entire area would be put toward paying back stadium debt instead of other government priorities. Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026 The principal is only paying the agent’s commission once. Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paying
Adjective
  • The future performance of any investment or wealth management strategy, including those recommended by us, may not be profitable or suitable or prove successful.
    Heather L. Locus, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • The company became profitable after its first year of business, and revenue has climbed alongside its fleet of rentable toilets.
    Tom Huddleston Jr. Mickey Todiwala, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The statement didn’t mention specific securities, but the timing suggests most of the funding for the partial payments this week could be coming from the state firm.
    Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
  • But as is explained both on the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood sign websites, filming the sign itself requires additional clearance and payment of a licensing fee.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Approximately 80% of that figure comes from consulting services, signifying that enterprises are compensating IBM to create operational AI systems, rather than merely executing pilot programs.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • While the streaming economy leaves much to be desired in terms of compensating creators, the blame is not entirely on streaming services.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • According to body camera footage, Grayson and sheriff's Deputy Dawson Farley, who was not charged, searched outside Massey's home before meeting her at her door.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Data from private equity analytics firm Preqin shows that the average fund that closed in 2025 spent 23 months in the market fundraising, up from 16 months in 2021, and fewer funds are meeting their fundraising goals at all.
    Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Instead of spending scarce early capital on headcount or agencies, founders can test more ideas, move faster and lower the cost of getting started.
    Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • People are spending more time in the gym; zeroing in on wellness and longevity; and even planning their holidays around fitness and wellness offerings.
    Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Stocks @ Night is a daily newsletter delivered after hours, giving you a first look at tomorrow and last look at today.
    Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
  • And then there’s the new DineAlley, which curates private culinary journeys across the Tasman Peninsula, giving guests behind-the-scenes access to working farms, vineyards, oyster sheds and distilleries that are otherwise difficult to visit on your own.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • DigitalDefynd shared detailed observations on how the banking industry is employing AI.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • The holding company operates more than 400 locations across nine states, employing more than 8,000 workers.
    Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Miami is rumored to be interested in his services, and the Hurricanes are no strangers to shelling out lucrative deals to lure top passers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Jan. 2026
  • There’s a housing shortage in LA, so the land will no doubt be put to better, more lucrative use.
    Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Paying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paying. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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