as in paying up
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
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
-
In some cases, paying with cash can save you 10 cents-or-more per gallon.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Bird's office recommends thoroughly researching online sellers, meeting at secure locations and avoiding prepayment for services.—
Lee Rood,
Des Moines Register,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) generally carry better interest rates than unsecured personal loans because using your home as collateral reduces the lender's risk, and repayment terms can stretch 10 years or longer, lowering your monthly payment.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
By guaranteeing loans issued by private lenders, the SBA enables lower interest rates, longer repayment terms and financing for businesses that might otherwise struggle to secure credit.—
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Federal authorities have accused Casap of planning his parents’ murders, buying a drone and explosives and sharing his plans with others, including a Russian speaker.—
Todd Richmond,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
True crime podcasts started out as a niche — and in the early days, advertisers were wary about buying into them, concerned about their brands being adjacent to what might be perceived as grisly or sensational content.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What’s at stake The multi-year contracts with Florida Blue for both health systems expired in 2025, and in signing new contracts, the public hospital systems are seeking reimbursement rate increases from Florida Blue and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Mar. 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,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paying off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paying%20off. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
