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
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Typically, Netflix pays just an upfront fee rather than offering viewership incentive bonuses.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
The billion-dollar question is who pays for it.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
To that end, the campaign pays for small Instagram boosts to its videos as well as for Instagram ads asking people to contribute to Huang’s campaign.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
For anyone who already pays for ChatGPT, this is an easy-to-use rebate.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 12 May 2026
The Alchemy cocktail pays homage to Kelce’s fiancée, Taylor Swift.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
The World Championship Running of the Tubs in June pays homage to Bathhouse Row with a Pinewood Derby-style race using modified bathtubs.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
Her mom pays her for her work in cash, privileges and Ugg boots.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
Health insurance plans are designed to include some level of cost-sharing, such as co-pays or co-insurance.
—Fennemore, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
Cooper’s agent, Felicity Blunt, was one of five Rivals executive producers who delved deep into why the author meant so much to the world and how the show starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson pays tribute to her memory.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Typically, Netflix pays just an upfront fee rather than offering viewership incentive bonuses.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
The billion-dollar question is who pays for it.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
To that end, the campaign pays for small Instagram boosts to its videos as well as for Instagram ads asking people to contribute to Huang’s campaign.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
For anyone who already pays for ChatGPT, this is an easy-to-use rebate.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 12 May 2026
The Alchemy cocktail pays homage to Kelce’s fiancée, Taylor Swift.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
The World Championship Running of the Tubs in June pays homage to Bathhouse Row with a Pinewood Derby-style race using modified bathtubs.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
Her mom pays her for her work in cash, privileges and Ugg boots.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Noun
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
Health insurance plans are designed to include some level of cost-sharing, such as co-pays or co-insurance.
—Fennemore, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
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
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
-
For example, my husband meets either in person, on Zoom or by phone with more than 10 people weekly.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
The campaign unfolds as a romantic American pop star fantasy, where soft vintage femininity meets Western Americana and melodic storytelling.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Research from It’s Time To Log Off found that the average person spends one full day each week online, while 34% of people had checked Facebook within the last 10 minutes.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
-
Research from It’s Time To Log Off found the average person spends one full day each week online, while 34% of people had checked Facebook within the last 10 minutes.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The meat yields, and there’s proper jelly under the skin.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Paying attention to your children still yields results.—
Andre Mouchard,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Like the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, the 10-P employs some sketchy folks, willing to break the law to protect their brand.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
In a statement, a spokesperson for the KNVB — the Royal Dutch Football Association, which employs Dieperink — outlined its support for the official.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Many of them remained on administrative leave for months, receiving salaries while being barred from working.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
-
Here are the salaries of all the Inter Miami players, listed highest to lowest.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
If your former spouse misses payments, your credit takes the hit too.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Vance alleged California is allowing fraud and the deferred payments would force it to take the issue more seriously.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
13 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
Cite this Entry
“Pays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pays. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
