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
-
Importing higher-paying—and oftentimes higher-achieving—students benefits a school during boom times, when universities have seemingly infinite choice among applicants.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
Adani, one of the world’s richest people, was accused in 2024 of paying massive bribes to ensure the project’s success.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Under Idaho law, threatening or bribing someone to alter their vote could lead to a citation.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
19 May 2026
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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
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
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If the worker no longer works for the company, employers may need to recover the money another way, including through repayment agreements or lawsuits.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
-
Unexpected expenses, income changes or higher living costs may require you to adjust your budget or repayment timeline.—
Rebecca Safier,
USA Today,
14 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
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According to Coffey, the agency doesn't expect people impacted or businesses to receive credits or reimbursement, though some communities may explore local options.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
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In the biennial budget passed last year, lawmakers had earmarked a $30 million increase in funding for Medicaid reimbursement rates in fiscal year 2027.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paying off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paying%20off. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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