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
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Now, the Americans' wager is paying off.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026
Some of the troubleshooting efforts may be paying off, as NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced earlier this month that a test in which engineers partially filled SLS’s hydrogen tanks showed improvement.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
While that was a bit less certain this time last year, Alphabet is now showing that the spending is paying off.
—CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
Aside from paying off interest and principal, additional funds from a $875-million fundraising campaign will go toward public art, collection moving costs, office renovations and general landscaping.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Blueprint has garnered a global following for beating the market and paying off investors.
—Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
For the government, the investments in Feinberg were paying off.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Over the last four weeks, the Patriots have called almost 12 runs per game with an extra offensive lineman, and the extra beef is paying off.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
The moment causes Byron, a selfish and braggadocious villain, to have a change of heart, stopping shipments of The Beauty and paying off the families ravaged by its gruesome side effects, like Bella’s.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Now, the Americans' wager is paying off.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026
Some of the troubleshooting efforts may be paying off, as NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced earlier this month that a test in which engineers partially filled SLS’s hydrogen tanks showed improvement.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
While that was a bit less certain this time last year, Alphabet is now showing that the spending is paying off.
—CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
Aside from paying off interest and principal, additional funds from a $875-million fundraising campaign will go toward public art, collection moving costs, office renovations and general landscaping.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Blueprint has garnered a global following for beating the market and paying off investors.
—Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
For the government, the investments in Feinberg were paying off.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Over the last four weeks, the Patriots have called almost 12 runs per game with an extra offensive lineman, and the extra beef is paying off.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paying off
Verb
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More than 500 customers are paying Anthropic at least $1 million annually for Claude, according to a recent investment announcement that valued the company at $380 billion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
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In some cases, paying with cash can save you 10 cents-or-more per gallon.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Smartmatic's parent company was charged in a Florida federal court in October with conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by bribing a Philippine government official to get business, and with conspiring to launder money.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Smith and other fixers are accused of recruiting and bribing players to underperform in games so that their team failed to cover spreads.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Just be sure to shop around for the best rate, and find a lender with no origination fees or prepayment penalties, such as LightStream personal loans.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
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In addition, the state’s new two-week prepayment review for medical assistance claims has resulted in some cost savings, Campbell said.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Nonprofit debt counselors can help negotiate a debt management plan with creditors, which may reduce interest rates and extend the repayment term.—
Stephanie Dhue,Sharon Epperson,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
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What's more, in July, a raft of new, potentially challenging changes to the student loan program will begin — courtesy of Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act — including the introduction of two brand-new repayment plans and the phasing out of others.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Taken together, the collection offers a glimpse into how one of luxury real estate’s most recognizable brokers approaches buying when the deal is his own.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
13 Mar. 2026
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The bipartisan legislation aims to improve housing affordability and availability by deregulating, expanding existing programs and banning large corporations from buying single-family homes, with few exceptions.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For the first time, there appears to be a commitment that Foxboro will incur no cost and will not have to worry about reimbursement processes.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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These stops are part of controversial agreements between ICE and local and state authorities that allow officers to detain people on behalf of ICE, in exchange for the promise of money to buy vehicles and equipment, as well as salary reimbursement.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paying off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paying%20off. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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