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
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
Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
In Florida, a defendant usually pays 10% of the total bond amount to a bondsman to bail out of jail.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
These serve as a fee that the borrower pays the lender to secure a lower interest rate.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Who pays capital gains tax on home sales An increasing number of property sellers are exceeding the capital gains exclusion limits, according to a 2025 report from the National Association of Realtors, which has advocated for reform.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Even with a replacement cost endorsement (which pays to replace items at the current market cost), homeowners must pay upfront for new items before receiving reimbursement, a hurdle many don’t anticipate.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
About two thirds of the way through the memoir, Merrill describes a visit his mother Helen pays him in Rome.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Starting Monday, March 9, the program will relieve all late fees, penalties and warrant costs after a person pays the original amount due.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Chen pays just 1200 RMB, or $168, a month for her apartment in faux Venice in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu.
—Albee Zhang, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
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
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
Verb
Often referred to as the state’s chief fiscal officer, the state comptroller pays the state’s bills, monitors fiscal compliance, records transactions and contracts and issues reports that guide the governor and legislature on budget decisions.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
In Florida, a defendant usually pays 10% of the total bond amount to a bondsman to bail out of jail.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
These serve as a fee that the borrower pays the lender to secure a lower interest rate.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Who pays capital gains tax on home sales An increasing number of property sellers are exceeding the capital gains exclusion limits, according to a 2025 report from the National Association of Realtors, which has advocated for reform.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Even with a replacement cost endorsement (which pays to replace items at the current market cost), homeowners must pay upfront for new items before receiving reimbursement, a hurdle many don’t anticipate.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
About two thirds of the way through the memoir, Merrill describes a visit his mother Helen pays him in Rome.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Starting Monday, March 9, the program will relieve all late fees, penalties and warrant costs after a person pays the original amount due.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Chen pays just 1200 RMB, or $168, a month for her apartment in faux Venice in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu.
—Albee Zhang, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pays
Verb
-
The Somogyi Effect If your blood sugar gets low at night, your body compensates by making more blood sugar.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
-
However, research findings are mixed, and not everyone compensates by eating more.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That’s where the drill meets the coalface, so to speak.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
January 20 – February 18 When purpose meets resources, progress becomes simple.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All the Little Animals is a small movie about a young man (Bale) with brain damage suffered in a car accident who comes across a gentle older man (John Hurt) who spends his days burying animals killed on the side of the road.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The user, in turn, spends more time with the chatbot in a bubble.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sunflowers' big, prolific heads contain smaller flowers inside the circular disc, a nectar and pollen playground for pollinators that also yields seeds and oil.—
Michelle Darrisaw,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
-
One rotisserie chicken typically yields about 3 ½ to 4 cups of meat.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Sylmar attraction first opened in 2014 and employs 15 people.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The service To minimize its environmental footprint, the hotel employs locals—from builders and gardeners to chefs and hotel staff—who are happy to advise on boat trips, hikes in the mountains, and the best restaurants in nearby villages.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More than a third of California teachers surveyed by Education Week said their salaries were better or about the same as those of their family members and friends.—
Diana Lambert,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Evanston publishes easily accessible comprehensive financial information on its website, including bills lists, debt information and salaries.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
My only gripe is that the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which allows for snappier logins and secure payments, can only be had with the 512-GB upgrade that costs an extra $100.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The New York investigation comes less than a week after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services halted Medicaid payments to Minnesota over fraud concerns.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
