as in paying up
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1
as in paying
to give what is owed for
I finally paid off the loan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bribing
to influence someone with a bribe
she paid off the security guard so that she could steal whatever she liked
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Recent Examples of paying off
Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 14 May 2026
In any relationship, couples make a lot of decisions about finances, from whether to create joint accounts or keep them separate to how to approach paying off debt.
—Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Around this time, Turner’s fortunes turned, as his investments in film properties began paying off.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2026
Patrick, your recent comments about the liberation of paying off your student loans have gotten a ton of traction online.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
Most of the early withdrawals stemmed from unexpected emergencies and paying off looming debt.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The effort appears to be paying off.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
In February, Pepsi cut prices on Lay's, Tostitos, Doritos and Cheetos by as much as 15% to try to win back shoppers; the efforts are paying off already.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
These considerations are paying off as handsomely as genuflecting to government power used to (and often still does).
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
Less than a year in, Arthur Blank's big donation to Atlanta's historically Black colleges and universities is already paying off.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 14 May 2026
In any relationship, couples make a lot of decisions about finances, from whether to create joint accounts or keep them separate to how to approach paying off debt.
—Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Around this time, Turner’s fortunes turned, as his investments in film properties began paying off.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2026
Patrick, your recent comments about the liberation of paying off your student loans have gotten a ton of traction online.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
Most of the early withdrawals stemmed from unexpected emergencies and paying off looming debt.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The effort appears to be paying off.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
In February, Pepsi cut prices on Lay's, Tostitos, Doritos and Cheetos by as much as 15% to try to win back shoppers; the efforts are paying off already.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
These considerations are paying off as handsomely as genuflecting to government power used to (and often still does).
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paying off
Verb
-
Local unions can avoid a recertification vote by having 60% of teachers paying dues, which automatically re-certifies the chapter.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
Under this framework, companies connecting significant new demand to the grid are responsible for paying the costs associated with serving their projects, including 100% of any new power generation required to serve their needs.—
Scott Bores,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Another man Wang communicated with, John Chen, was also sentenced to 20 months in prison for acting as an unregistered agent and bribing an IRS agent, prosecutors said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
Back in the day, scandals typically were point-shaving schemes that involved shadowy figures bribing athletes.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
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With weak credit standards and features like prepayment penalties, interest-only payments, balloon payments and negative amortization, the subprime mortgage space was not concerned about the borrowers’ ability to repay the mortgage.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
-
Restaurants and services used to be easily booked without prepayment or guarantee.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Its spokesperson, Danielle Emerson, said the contract with the state clearly calls for repayment.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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The higher rates are set to take effect as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminates several affordable student loan repayment plans and other relief options for borrowers who are financially struggling.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Perhaps that was due to his wife, Karen, who had a very specific list of requirements for buying a business.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
Across town, Jose Mourinho had been buying big, powerful players (Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Nemanja Matic, Romelu Lukaku) to build his Manchester United team around.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
There are provisions for reimbursement of legal expenses when a court judgment goes against the prosecution.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
If the actual value of the Prize is less than the ARV stated above, the winner shall not be entitled to any compensation or reimbursement for the difference.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paying off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paying%20off. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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