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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
That is why the top area of the volcano is restricted, though not everyone pays heed. Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026 Meta pays the full costs for the energy used by its data centers so that consumers do not bear these expenses, and the company supports the broader grid through these energy agreements. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026 The federal government pays 90% of the costs of Idaho’s Medicaid expansion, which as of early 2025 provided access to care for about 90,000 lower-income Idaho residents who earn too much to qualify for standard Medicaid but not enough for private insurance discounts. Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026 Liability coverage pays for injuries or property damage you, the driver, cause to others during an accident. Ethan M. Stone, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026 But since then, Lane Kiffin went to LSU with a contract that pays him an average of $13 million, dropping Cignetti back outside the top three. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026 Unlike traditional studios, which often combine upfront salaries with back-end participation to some players if a film or series succeeds, Netflix typically pays cast and crew an upfront fee determined in advance. Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026 Investors buy the bonds and earn interest as the borrower pays back the debt. Joshua Haiar, States Newsroom, 9 Jan. 2026 How much someone with insurance pays for these drugs depends on their health plan; Eli Lilly notes on its website that through private insurance, people can pay as little as $25 a month. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Yes, care about monthly premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs, but also care about co-pays, drug costs and emergency room visit payments. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 9 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 Costs will be passed on to other customers, raising premiums and co-pays. Eric Snoey, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025 That’s a little pricey for those core parts, but much of the cost pays for the laptop’s high-end materials and hardware features. Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pays
Verb
  • Or that players need to change their approach to off-season training to account for the quick lateral movements that can lead to acute injuries, or that team trainers need to be more prophylactic and smarter about understanding the way the body compensates for instabilities.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
  • If her musical moments are too few, her presence compensates for the imbalance.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 19 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Netflix’s Tudum site described Gage’s character, Buck, as a wild child who meets Poppy and Alex during a camping trip.
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Timeless Southern hospitality meets sartorial sophistication at this chic Buckhead hotel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Cowboys have mastered the art of entertaining and interesting better than any sports franchise in the world, but there is a redundancy that to the person who spends a lot of their money on it is justifiably checked out.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Browns Cleveland boasts an elite defense led by the league’s best pass rusher, an owner who spends more cash than any other team and a promising nucleus from the 2025 draft class.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Consider a midgen berry bush (Austromyrtus dulcis), which yields fruit that look like white to mauve blueberries with a taste to match.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The first offense of a taunting penalty yields an $11,593 fine.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The police department employs two full-time officers and four part-time officers, according to Masontown Borough Police Chief Timothy O'Barto.
    Erika Stanish, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • South Florida Equestrian Village alone employs more than 1,000 people.
    Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Any such players who did not agree to deals with their respective teams will now go to an arbitration hearing, where their 2026 salaries will be determined.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Players with more than three years of service time can use arbitration to negotiate their salaries for an upcoming season, and Skubal has more than five years in.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Low was fined $106,000 for concealing payments between his tech nonprofit and actor Alec Baldwin.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
  • According to the filing, Pepsi allegedly reinforced that gap by offering Walmart promotional payments, allowances and data-sharing services that were not extended to other retailers.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The city repays the bondholders over time, plus interest, using property taxes.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images What To Know The program repays up to $20,000 in student loan debt over four years, according to HESAA.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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