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
Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 26 Mar. 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
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
Verb
Grana says agents are still paying off debt accrued from the 43-day federal shutdown that ended last November.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 26 Mar. 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
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
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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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
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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
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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After lengthy legal battles, a federal appeals court earlier this month ordered the end of the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan, the Biden administration-era repayment program that aimed to dramatically lower borrowers' monthly bills.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
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Chapter 7 discharges most unsecured debt within a few months; Chapter 13 restructures it into a three- to five-year repayment plan.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The accounts had various purposes, such as investing in securities or buying real estate.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Their charming formality recalls closets of another era, when buying well mattered more than following any passing fad.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At the same time, reimbursement rates from programs such as Medicare and Medicaid often do not fully cover the cost of care.—
Demetrius Atsalis,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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Add-ons include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paying off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paying%20off. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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