Synonyms of pays

pays 1 of 2

verb

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

• compensates
• repays
• reimburses
• remunerates
• refunds
• recompenses
• pays off
• pays up
• remits
• prepays
• requites

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stiffs

2

as in meets

to give what is owed for

you ought to pay that bill before it's overdue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• meets
• settles
• balances
• stands
• pays off
• clears
• pays up
• foots
• liquidates
• discharges
• quits
• springs (for)
• recompenses
• antes (up)
• ponies up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repudiates

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

• spends
• gives
• disburses
• outlays
• expends
• lays out
• drops
• shells out
• lavishes
• forks (over, out, or up)
• rains
• wastes
• runs through
• blows
• dissipates
• squanders
• throws away
• fritters (away)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• saves
• earns
• makes
• realizes
• acquires
• wins
• secures
• procures
• lays up
• gains
• hoards
• caches
• garners

4

as in yields

to produce as revenue

an investment paying six percent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• yields
• gives
• returns
• provides
• bears
• affords
• furnishes
• supplies
• brings in
• nets
• pays off

5

as in employs

to provide with a paying job

pay someone to mow the lawn for the summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• employs
• hires
• recruits
• engages
• retains
• fees
• assumes
• signs (up or on)
• enlists
• places
• lays on
• takes on
• jobs
• partners
• promotes
• rehires
• contracts
• reemploys
• apprentices
• subcontracts
• reengages
• keeps (on)
• upgrades
• advances
• headhunts
• scouts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dismisses
• cans
• discharges
• fires
• axes
• sacks
• furloughs
• lays off
• locks out

pays

2 of 2

noun

plural of pay

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

• salaries
• wages
• payments
• stipends
• hires
• paychecks
• pay envelopes
• emoluments
• packets
• returns
• minimum wages
• profits
• earnings
• nominal wages
• compensations
• living wages
• reparations
• reimbursements
• take-home pays
• yields
• repayments
• recompenses
• overtimes
• restitutions
• double times
• remittances
• takings
• redresses
• remunerations
• recoupments
• time and a halfs
• requitals

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

• payments
• wages
• compensations
• salaries
• reparations
• considerations
• remittances
• reimbursements
• recompenses
• stipends
• outlays
• deposits
• remunerations
• expenditures
• repayments
• refunds
• adjustments
• rentals
• indemnities
• rents
• settlements
• rebates
• disbursements
• requitals
• redresses
• prepayments
• restitutions
• overpayments
• recoupments

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pays

Verb

The rest pays for down payments on apartments, rental assistance and other costs associated with getting people into housing. — Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Every single adult will get $5,000 as a dividend for a job well done, like a corporation pays stockholders. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

During Klomp’s confirmation hearing last week, Whitehouse said Medicare pays providers in his state 20% less than in neighboring states. — John Wilkerson, STAT, 24 Sep. 2026

But Wendy Goodman, New York Magazine’s design editor who has been a balletgoer since childhood, pays to sit at the front of the theater. — Fiorella Valdesolo, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2026

For a house assessed at the county average of $270,000 last year, this year’s county tax bill would increase $58 to $2,165, according to a Miami Herald calculation based on a home that pays county taxes for municipal, fire and library services. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

The federal gas tax pays most of the money that goes into the Highway Trust Fund, according to a Congressional report earlier this year that studied the impact of the federal gas tax. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

That money pays for the work done in labs, but also for equipment, buildings, and staff. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026

The album is a pivot from her older work and pays tribute to the 1980s. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Noun

There would be no deductibles, co-pays or other forms of cost-sharing, except for some brand-name prescription drugs if generics are available. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

The bill instituted several major changes to the federal health insurance program, including work requirements, more frequent redeterminations and minimum co-pays, most of which begin in 2027. — Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Sep. 2026

This type of insurance can help cover the costs tied to leftover Medicare deductibles, co-insurances, co-pays and hospital costs. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Be sure to investigate co-pays, deductibles, and what’s covered for birthing classes and specialty tests. — Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 27 July 2026

Also, ask a senior about co-pays required for medical visits. — Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

There is no Cost Per Mile (CPM), a digital marketing metric that represents the cost an advertiser pays for every 1,000 impressions. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Even with premiums, co-pays and deductibles, the federal government cannot afford Medicare-for-some. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 26 May 2026

In return, doctors offer a more thorough annual physical, same-day appointments, no co-pays and more time with the patient. — Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026