1
as in compensates
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received
we need to pay the cashier and then we can leave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in meets
to give what is owed for
you ought to pay that bill before it's overdue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in spends
to hand over or use up in payment
rock fans were willing to pay enormous sums to get into the concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in employs
to provide with a paying job
pay someone to mow the lawn for the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in salaries
the money paid regularly to a person for labor or services
it's difficult to support two children on her pay
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in payments
something (as money) that is given or received in return for goods or services
we should demand pay for all the overtime we're putting in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pays
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Another conundrum is how to model a fair system to charge for cars registered outside of the municipality that owns and pays for the parking facility.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
According to a new report by Junior Achievement, 73% of teenagers said the artificial Intelligence boom will have a mostly positive effect — or no impact at all — on their ability to get a good job that pays well.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
Shinomiya pays detailed attention to everything on screen, crafting not just the faces and emotions of the characters, but also all the other creatures, natural landforms and skies of this story world.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Who pays for the extra security needed in the adjacent areas?
—Susan Shelley, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
El Siboney pays delicious tribute to Key West’s Cuban history.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
In a surprise drop, U2 has released a new EP of five songs and a poem, and the first track pays tribute to Renee Good.
—Aki Nace, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Otherwise, a mortgage servicer pays the increase as part of the monthly mortgage escrow bill, which also includes property taxes.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Enrollees in this form of coverage face no premiums, co-pays or out-of-pocket costs.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2026
Urgent care usually has higher co-pays than a regular office visit, but will not be as expensive or take as long as an emergency room.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
However, Myers could owe much more in out-of-pocket costs due to $80 co-pays and an $8,000 deductible.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
While Medicaid covers it in Colorado, commercial plans may charge co-pays.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
Urgent care visits typically require insurance co-pays or out-of-pocket costs; these costs are generally higher than regular doctor visits but generally lower than the ER.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
Your out-of-pocket max is the limit on your total cost-sharing for the year, including co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles.
—Sarah O'Brien, CNBC, 16 Nov. 2025
She’s canceled or postponed doctor’s appointments, chiropractic care and vet appointments to avoid co-pays or bills piling up.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
The album's eclectic throwback sound pays tribute to the singer's Boricua roots, incorporating traditional genres such as Plena, salsa and jibaro into his signature Latin urbano style.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Another conundrum is how to model a fair system to charge for cars registered outside of the municipality that owns and pays for the parking facility.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
According to a new report by Junior Achievement, 73% of teenagers said the artificial Intelligence boom will have a mostly positive effect — or no impact at all — on their ability to get a good job that pays well.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
Shinomiya pays detailed attention to everything on screen, crafting not just the faces and emotions of the characters, but also all the other creatures, natural landforms and skies of this story world.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Who pays for the extra security needed in the adjacent areas?
—Susan Shelley, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
El Siboney pays delicious tribute to Key West’s Cuban history.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
In a surprise drop, U2 has released a new EP of five songs and a poem, and the first track pays tribute to Renee Good.
—Aki Nace, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Otherwise, a mortgage servicer pays the increase as part of the monthly mortgage escrow bill, which also includes property taxes.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
That’s why the insurance marketplace to ensure there were no co-pays on routine office visits, age-appropriate health screenings or vaccines.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Enrollees in this form of coverage face no premiums, co-pays or out-of-pocket costs.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2026
Urgent care usually has higher co-pays than a regular office visit, but will not be as expensive or take as long as an emergency room.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
However, Myers could owe much more in out-of-pocket costs due to $80 co-pays and an $8,000 deductible.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
While Medicaid covers it in Colorado, commercial plans may charge co-pays.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
Urgent care visits typically require insurance co-pays or out-of-pocket costs; these costs are generally higher than regular doctor visits but generally lower than the ER.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
Your out-of-pocket max is the limit on your total cost-sharing for the year, including co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles.
—Sarah O'Brien, CNBC, 16 Nov. 2025
She’s canceled or postponed doctor’s appointments, chiropractic care and vet appointments to avoid co-pays or bills piling up.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pays
Verb
-
On Monday, Nichols introduced an update to Idaho’s existing law that compensates crime victims if the perpetrator reaches a financial agreement to tell their story.—
Kevin Fixler
January 27,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The system compensates for the Earth's rotation by counter-spinning the sensor while the telescope follows the sky, keeping everything rock-steady.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Senate Appropriations Committee meets to discuss the state’s amended 2026 budget.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Five different characters sing their hearts out, and each performer meets the vocal and emotional demands of their star turn with both power and subtlety.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Legal experts say lawsuits can sometimes be faster avenues for change, especially given Big Tech, like Big Tobacco before it, spends heavily on lobbying.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Meyer argues that the state spends billions without addressing glaring needs, and 5200 could cost less than roller-coastering people through hospitals, courts, jails and prisons without putting them on a healthier track.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Starting with cake mix is a clever shortcut that not only speeds up the baking progress, but yields a cookie with an extra supple texture.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Research yields conflicting results as to whether creatine increases anabolic hormones.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Founded in 1969, the company employs about 250 people.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The business model of Netflix is directly at odds with the theatrical production and exhibition business, which employs hundreds of thousands of Americans.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For example, governor, judicial and legislative salaries are Category A, which must be funded.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Analysts at the Bank of America Institute have warned that recent productivity gains are accumulating on the profit side of the ledger, while wages and salaries gradually take up a smaller slice of the GDP.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pullman was president of the over 15,000-member State Police union from 2012 until his resignation in 2018, during which time Lynch worked as a lobbyist representing the union in exchange for monthly retainer payments.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Several whistleblowers from Maryland’s Department of Human Services alleged a troubling scheme to deliberately leave correctable errors uncorrected in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) payments, artificially keeping the error rate high to delay federal penalties.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Creature repays the favor by using his strength to free the ship from its icy prison.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The city repays the bondholders over time, plus interest, using property taxes.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pays. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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