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
Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Fast food’s juggling act – investing in value through promotions and discounts while raising prices on some premium items – appears to be paying off, according to Revenue Management Solutions, a restaurant consulting company.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
For example, paying off overdue federal taxes or bringing a federal student loan out of default could prevent an offset entirely.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
To the contrary, the evidence showed that Aquarion customers will see immediate and sustained bill increases from the transaction, in addition to being saddled with paying off the debt service for decades to come.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
The sudden vacuum of hits from distance paying off, and consequent sudden drop in xG overperformance, coincided with the nosedive in the team’s form, resulting in three wins in the next 10 matches across all competitions.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
Fast food’s juggling act — investing in value through promotions and discounts while raising prices on some premium items — appears to be paying off, according to Revenue Management Solutions, a restaurant consulting company.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Fast food’s juggling act – investing in value through promotions and discounts while raising prices on some premium items – appears to be paying off, according to Revenue Management Solutions, a restaurant consulting company.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
For example, paying off overdue federal taxes or bringing a federal student loan out of default could prevent an offset entirely.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
To the contrary, the evidence showed that Aquarion customers will see immediate and sustained bill increases from the transaction, in addition to being saddled with paying off the debt service for decades to come.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
The sudden vacuum of hits from distance paying off, and consequent sudden drop in xG overperformance, coincided with the nosedive in the team’s form, resulting in three wins in the next 10 matches across all competitions.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paying off
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Saudi Arabia may still be able to get its tankers through the Red Sea by bribing the Houthis, Axios reports.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Two executives of a large utility, FirstEnergy, are now on trial for allegedly bribing Randazzo, who died by suicide after his own indictment.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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CarMax doesn’t charge an origination fee or prepayment penalty, but late fees can vary by state and contract.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
31 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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As a result, some borrowers, particularly those who were enrolled in the now‑winding‑down SAVE income‑driven repayment plan, may now owe substantially more to receive the same credit toward forgiveness.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Paris Club creditors agreed to forgive 60 percent of Nigeria’s debt, on condition of an IMF program and a controversial repayment of the remaining 40 percent.—
Sven van Mourik,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At Harmar Bait and Tackle, there was a steady stream of customers either buying bait or getting trout fishing licenses.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Sleeping positions and firmness Beyond mattress type, your preferred sleep position and mattress firmness (how hard or soft a bed feels) are other important factors to consider when buying a mattress.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Providers frequently cite low reimbursement rates from the state as a reason for not accepting Medi-Cal patients.—
Kristen Hwang,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
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Criminals are exploiting Medicare and Medicaid by submitting false and fraudulent claims for reimbursement, according to the Treasury, potentially involving nonexistent or unnecessary medical services.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paying off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paying%20off. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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