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
The idea is to remove non-paying riders, often who are homeless, mentally ill or taking illicit drugs, from the system. Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026 All roles are open and non-paying. Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 14 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
Is your job one of the highest paying in Kentucky? Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Mar. 2026 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
Accordingly, here’s a look at 10 high-paying careers that are dominated – or at least led – by women. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026 For a 200-unit project receiving city incentives, for example, that would mean paying $200,000 rather than include 40 affordable units in a development. Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026 With the March 31 deadline approaching, experts warn that waiting too long can leave Medicare users paying more—and with fewer options—until the next enrollment period begins in October. Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 Leal was still paying the hospital that delivered her son when another hospital began billing her for the surgery. Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026 Speaking of which, the vast bulk of the city of Chicago’s portion of those property tax bills that had Chicagoans gnashing their teeth late last year isn’t paying for city services. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026 Drivers who carry paying passengers must also be licensed separately from the company that dispatches them. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026 Time for Warren Buffett to get the owners in the Casa Grande ballroom and run a cost-benefit analysis on the value of undermining the league’s integrity in a sport in bed with gambling against the price of paying officials. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026 There’s no getting around paying taxes, but there’s something galling about paying for the privilege. Brian Sloan,dan Avery, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paying
Adjective
  • Slowly, Castro’s cronies built a kleptocracy that proved ruinous to the Cuban people, but hugely profitable to them.
    Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The commercial success of M-Pesa — the mobile money unit of Kenya’s biggest mobile network operator Safaricom — has convinced investors and executives that mobile money can be a profitable financial platform.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The New York Fed used an analysis of consumer credit data and defined delinquency rates as being 90 days past due on any credit purchase, such as auto loans or mortgage payments.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
    Staff Reports, The Providence Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The grant money will hopefully make managing those problems easier by compensating interns for their work, Young said.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Since then, Tech and Conference USA have failed to agree on a financial settlement aimed at compensating the league for the Bulldogs' departure.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • According to the text messages, Del Valle allegedly instructed Randazzo to message one of the victims about meeting up at the apartment.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • As the family's struggle unfolded, Castillo’s case was closely followed in Spain, which passed legislation in 2021 enshrining the right to euthanasia and medically assisted suicide for patients meeting certain conditions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In both cases, spending by campaign staff may also count toward those totals.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Economists had believed that an unusually large jump in tax refunds would kick start spending at the start of the year.
    Anne D'Innocenzio, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Texas had subbed 7-foot center Matas Vokietaitis out of the game with 11 seconds left after Boilermakers big man Oscar Cluff had fouled out, giving Purdue a better opportunity in the paint.
    Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Senate Majority Leader Thune changed his vote from yes to no, giving himself the option of bringing up the motion again.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Giants are in town to start a three-game series, the Padres’ first NL West games of the year, and are employing their third different leadoff hitter in four games.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • As Adam reenters the dating world, his sister encourages him to view it as a fresh start, and scenic designer Milo Bue visually evokes the idea of a blank slate by employing off-whites and greys for Adam’s studio apartment in New York City.
    Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Developers came up with a plan to build a suburban multi-use entertainment complex around a domed stadium—one that would keep out the snow and wind and allow for lucrative events year-round.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Our expert take The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus.
    Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Paying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paying. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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