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
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Recent Examples of pays
Jillian Dara, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
The city has fallen back on multiple tax measures to draw more money, though spending cuts have also alleviated — for now — yearly deficits in the General Purpose Fund budget, which pays for most salaries and daily operations.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
In the case of Nvidia, Huang is known to demand perfection but pays his staff handsomely for their work.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 2 June 2026
Whatever pays the mortgage on that insane mansion in the Florida Keys.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
The office pays private defense attorneys to represent people who cannot be represented by the Office of the State Public Defender, typically when public defenders have conflicts of interest.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
His distinct style centers on Vietnamese folk music blended with R&B, soul, hip-hop, pop music, hyper-pop, EDM, and tropical house, creating a refreshing sound and approach that pays homage to his culture.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Unlocking ocean energy BlueNewables highlighted that the platform’s name pays tribute to the victims of the devastating DANA storm that struck Spain’s Valencian Community on October 29, 2024.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026
The cinematic installation pays homage to the metropolitan spirit, set against the craftsmanship of Blazy’s collection.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Editorial Board, Washington Post, 26 May 2026
The roughly 60-cent-per-gallon state gas tax pays for filling potholes and more serious road repairs and improvements.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 14 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
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
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
Verb
Inspired by Portugal’s traditional and contemporary flavors, Baleia also pays respect to the country’s seamen—generations of fishers, sailors and whalers—who traveled the globe and returned with culinary influence, especially from North Africa, China and the Caribbean.
—Jillian Dara, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
The city has fallen back on multiple tax measures to draw more money, though spending cuts have also alleviated — for now — yearly deficits in the General Purpose Fund budget, which pays for most salaries and daily operations.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
In the case of Nvidia, Huang is known to demand perfection but pays his staff handsomely for their work.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 2 June 2026
Whatever pays the mortgage on that insane mansion in the Florida Keys.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
The office pays private defense attorneys to represent people who cannot be represented by the Office of the State Public Defender, typically when public defenders have conflicts of interest.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
His distinct style centers on Vietnamese folk music blended with R&B, soul, hip-hop, pop music, hyper-pop, EDM, and tropical house, creating a refreshing sound and approach that pays homage to his culture.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Unlocking ocean energy BlueNewables highlighted that the platform’s name pays tribute to the victims of the devastating DANA storm that struck Spain’s Valencian Community on October 29, 2024.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026
The cinematic installation pays homage to the metropolitan spirit, set against the craftsmanship of Blazy’s collection.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Noun
Even with premiums, co-pays and deductibles, the federal government cannot afford Medicare-for-some.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 26 May 2026
The roughly 60-cent-per-gallon state gas tax pays for filling potholes and more serious road repairs and improvements.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 14 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pays
Verb
-
There is no meaningful amount of last-minute effort that compensates for months of unfocused or incomplete readiness.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Think Woodstock lodge meets the French Alps meets Williamsburg, Brooklyn in the winter where classic rock 'n' roll tunes from the likes of Springsteen and The Stones add to its cozy retro vibe.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Eventually Erica Kane meets Dimitri, and they get married and divorced and married again.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The mother spends her waking hours working on other people’s farms and performing tasks the neighbors prefer not to do themselves.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
My daughter calls me a creative engineer, someone who spends her life creatively thinking about ways to provide live experiences that offer joy and beauty, or maybe more importantly, that challenge us to see things differently.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Expensive oil has already sent inflation higher, which increases not only bills for households but also yields in the bond market.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
The slow ride across is relaxing and often yields dolphin sightings.—
Jennifer Stewart Kornegay,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
In her 2008 work Mirror Play, San Francisco Poets Theatre Beloved’s Carla Harryman employs a field of speakers as an engine for organizing meaning between interior perception and exterior reality.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
The laptop employs the same chassis design Acer has been using for Nitros over the past couple of years.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The four are accused of using union funds for salaries and benefits for no-show jobs, luxury international travel, fine dining, vacation payouts and unauthorized loans.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
-
Milwaukee had the best record in baseball last year, despite one of the lowest cumulative salaries.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The bill would roll out several regulations on the industry, including clarifications on player transfers and payments, rules on midseason coach movement, and a ban on professional players from reentering the NCAA.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2026
-
This free feature will pull in any rent, mortgage, utility and other on-time payments into your credit report, giving it a boost.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
3 June 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 7 Jun. 2026.
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