1
2
as in to bribe
to influence someone with a bribe
she paid off the security guard so that she could steal whatever she liked
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in profit
the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received
the payoff on the investment was only about $500
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pivotal
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pay off
Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
The tolls were meant to be temporary until the bonds issued to build the roads were paid off.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 June 2026
That doesn't mean investors should expect a quick payoff.
—Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Verb
The real argument is not that persistence pays off or that inner work guarantees outer results.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
The tolls were meant to be temporary until the bonds issued to build the roads were paid off.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
Noun
Cutting emissions The company also mapped out the future facility’s environmental payoff.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 June 2026
That doesn't mean investors should expect a quick payoff.
—Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Adjective
Not wrong for much of the last three decades — but Saturday night’s gig, and all the joyous revelry surrounding it, showed why the Live ’25 Tour has been payoff enough for none of them to look back in anger at any of it.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
Verb
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Leslie, Milton-Jones and Dixon discussed the WNBA’s 30-season landmark before the game, paying tribute to Ogwumike and reflecting on what the WNBPA has achieved.—
Joaquin Ruiz,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
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Recipients born between the 11th and 20th are paid on the third Wednesday, and those born after the 20th are paid on the fourth Wednesday.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Verb
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Similar raids by the feds at addresses tied to then-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and then-San Leandro City Councilmember Bryan Azevedo eventually led to criminal indictments against both politicians, as well as the businessmen accused of bribing them.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
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The Nazis ordered the case closed after six months, and a local official was allegedly bribed to record his death as an accident to ensure Sindelar would have a state funeral.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Her practice spans royalties and profit participations, motion picture and television contracts, intellectual property disputes, reputation protection and new media and technology matters.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
17 June 2026
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Universal isn’t the only studio reeling in profits from the reimbursement scheme.—
Christian Sylt,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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Burnham, a former cabinet minister who’s been Mayor of Greater Manchester for the best part of a decade, now re-enters parliament at a pivotal moment for his party.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
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The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has transformed from an advertising awards show into a pivotal global marketplace where technology, retail, media, luxury, and entertainment converge.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Suarez also discussed the experience of joining one of baseball’s most storied organizations after departing Philadelphia, then watching as both teams failed to meet expectations to start the year.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
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Trump made the threat on Sunday, even as Vice President JD Vance met Iranian officials in Switzerland for the first talks under the interim accord.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
Verb
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Fast-food restaurants, once the first stop for Americans looking to get at least one meal in before a long work day, are fighting to win back customers.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
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Compared with Let’s Move’s easygoing recommendations—children should get at least one hour of physical activity each day, and everyone should drink one more glass of water—MAHA is also considerably more macho.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While Juneteenth became a federal holiday just five years ago, Bay Area communities have been celebrating the watershed event for over 80 years.—
Laura A. Oda,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
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The watershed district has spent 20 years improving water quality and resilience through stormwater management, shoreline restoration and control of invasive aquatic plants.—
Tyler Quattrin,
Twin Cities,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Laoch and Doughty bought tickets for Monday night’s Marlins game against the Texas Rangers at loanDepot park, along with more than 8,000 members of the Tartan Army.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
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To be safe, consider buying and cutting your own cantaloupe with your newfound skills.—
Alexandra Frost,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pay off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20off. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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