pays off

verb

present tense third-person singular of pay off
1
as in pays
to give what is owed for I finally paid off the loan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bribes
to influence someone with a bribe she paid off the security guard so that she could steal whatever she liked

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 off Upon approval, the new lender pays off your existing loan and then assumes the remaining balance. — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 8 July 2026 Thus, other states may be watching Kentucky and North Carolina to see if these moves to tax the prediction market companies pays off. — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Research suggests wildfire mitigation work pays off. — Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026 Sometimes that strategy pays off. — Claire Zillman, Fortune, 28 May 2026 Work with an agent who knows Charlotte Local expertise pays off in negotiation. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026 Furthermore, Sharpe spent six months learning how to tinkle the ivories, an impressive commitment which pays off during the pivotal piano battles and ensures a welcome absence of clumsy cutaways from fingers to face. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 8 May 2026 Until 2037 the effective rate will be closer to 28%, as the city pays off debts related to a separate, previous set of incentives. — Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026 Experience, often in multiple systems, pays off at skill positions more than ever. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pays off
  1. pays
  2. bribes
  3. pays up
  4. has
  5. meets
  6. buys
  7. seduces
Verb
  • Currently, a person who earns $184,500 per year pays the same amount in annual Social Security taxes as a person who earns $5 million per year.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
  • The Goalkeeper’s Hands The keeper is the only player allowed to use their hands, and pays for it up top.
    — Dr. Tal Patalon, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of pays
Verb
  • In one of the film’s most madcap and darkly comedic moments, Linda bribes her daughter with the promise of a pet hamster — who turns out to be a biter, desperate to escape its box.
    — Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of bribes
Verb
  • The Deluxe plan pays up to $6,500 per system and covers failures from rust, corrosion and sediment buildup.
    — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • Under current rules, each venue pays up to $15 million annually.
    — Christopher Damien, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Definition of pays up
Verb
  • Chen, who was living in Boston and has a college-age son, is the only American currently held in China designated as wrongfully detained, the non-profit said.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of has
Verb
  • Knowing where a company sits in the AI stack, where agentic meets generative, and how to assess servers versus storage is becoming ever more crucial for tracking the runners and riders in the AI race.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 15 July 2026
  • Norway have two players, including Erling Haaland, free at the far post when Ajer meets the ball.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of meets
Verb
  • The event is free, but a $20 VIP tickets buys you some extras, including a shadey sitting area, cooling misters and a bag of snacks.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
  • In addition to selling precious metal products, the brand also buys gold from consumers and offers a gold IRA.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of buys
Verb
  • Blyth was nominated in the supporting role as Mildred's spoiled daughter, Veda, who seduces her mother's second husband (Zachary Scott), then riddles him with bullets in a jealous rage.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 June 2026
  • Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of seduces

Browse Nearby Words

pays (for)
pays off
pays up
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Cite this Entry

“Pays off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pays%20off. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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