pays 1 of 2

Definition of paysnext
present tense third-person singular of pay
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in meets
to give what is owed for you ought to pay that bill before it's overdue

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in yields
to produce as revenue an investment paying six percent

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5

pays

2 of 2

noun

plural of pay

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 pays
Verb
Her mom pays her for her work in cash, privileges and Ugg boots. Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 6 May 2026 The plaintiffs are demanding that Cento bears the cost of the class notice and pays $25 million or more to the class members. Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026 Just ask any bride who pays a premium to include these softball-sized, fragrant blooms in her bouquet. Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 5 May 2026 The current Cook County court system is excluded by law from compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, which is the law meant to provide accountability and transparency to the public that pays tens of billions to operate our government systems. Silvana Tabares, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026 Anyone who wants a job will have a job that pays a $60-$70,000 annual salary. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 Tonight, the Game of Thrones and Wednesday star arrived at the 2026 Met Gala in a showstopping Giles dress that pays homage to a trio of artists that Christie holds close to her heart. Liam Hess, Vogue, 4 May 2026 Wells pays someone to mow her lawn. David A. Lieb, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026 Try the giant Belgian waffles or a Philly cheesesteak omelet, which pays homage to the owner's hometown. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
Tax revenue from sports gambling pays for water projects across the state. Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026 Just to cover the city’s various bond measures, the owner of a home with an assessed value of $1 million pays around $1,145 annually. Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026 The final version of the bill walks back many of the more drastic changes that originally appeared in HB 2, including lowering co-pays, easing up on redetermination and allowing for hardship waivers. Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Apr. 2026 Additionally, 80% said all health care costs -- including premiums, deductibles, co-pays or coinsurance -- are higher. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026 Lower doses also mean lower spending — both for the patient (who is responsible for co-pays) and CMS. Mark J. Ratain, STAT, 3 Mar. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pays
Verb
  • Although Emery has tailored a style which compensates for the possibility of creaking legs and a reduction in athleticism — Villa conserve energy very well, which has been critical in managing a European schedule — this cannot last forever.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • His payment of $74,330 will go into the Lacey Act Reward Fund, which compensates tipsters who report wildlife crimes, federal authorities said.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Loosely based on the nonfiction book You and I—The Illness Suddenly Gets Worse by Makiko Miyano and Maho Isono, the story follows the French director of a nursing home who attempts to introduce a more humane care technique and meets a terminally ill Japanese playwright.
    Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 6 May 2026
  • Accessibility Although there are areas where design overrules function, the majority of the resort meets ADA standards with ramps and wheelchair-friendly pathways.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Baltimore County spends significantly less per resident on fire and EMS services than many comparable jurisdictions.
    Nick Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026
  • San Francisco currently spends about $700 million to $800 million per year on homelessness, aided by the passage in 2018 of the Proposition C gross receipts tax on businesses with annual revenue greater than $50 million, but has yet to make a dent in its intractable homelessness problem.
    Adam B. Summers, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Treasury yields influence rates across the economy, from mortgage rates to auto loans.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
  • And, enrolling while a pet is young and healthy generally yields lower premiums and broader coverage than waiting until a condition develops.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Japan Airlines employs thousands of ground crew workers, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
  • When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • The district currently has the highest average teacher pay in Colorado, with salaries nearing $100,000, which is roughly $20,000 above the state average.
    Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
  • With higher salaries brings higher attention, and the game brought all the fanfare that comes with one-stop sporting events in Kansas City.
    PJ Green April 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • How to check and file a claim A good first step is to review your IRS account transcript, which shows penalties, interest, payments, account adjustments, and refunds, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 May 2026
  • The bill, which passed the House 78-32 last month, would allow the Bears to make special payments to local governments in lieu of higher property taxes as part of a bid to build a multibillion-dollar stadium.
    Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • The bond also has a maturity date, which is when the issuer repays the principal.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The Creature repays the favor by using his strength to free the ship from its icy prison.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pays. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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