as in to pay
to give what is owed for
despite having good credit, the couple still had to pony up a large down payment for the house
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Recent Examples of pony up
Phillips’ notable injury history will hover over his early days in Carolina, but the full season in 2025 was clearly enough for the franchise to pony up a massive contract agreement.
—
Mike Kaye
updated March 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
If the 49ers determine Hendrickson’s 2025 campaign was an aberration rather than a sign of a decline, they’ll be tempted to pony up and pair him with Bosa.
—Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Mar. 2026
In what was being described Thursday as a seller’s market, perhaps GMs will pick up the phone Friday and pony up.
—Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The team has gone for cheaper options in the past, but Franklin-Myers could boost the abilities of Anderson and Hunter even more if the Texans are willing to pony up for him.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pony up
Mike Kaye
updated March 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
If the 49ers determine Hendrickson’s 2025 campaign was an aberration rather than a sign of a decline, they’ll be tempted to pony up and pair him with Bosa.
—Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Mar. 2026
In what was being described Thursday as a seller’s market, perhaps GMs will pick up the phone Friday and pony up.
—Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The team has gone for cheaper options in the past, but Franklin-Myers could boost the abilities of Anderson and Hunter even more if the Texans are willing to pony up for him.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pony up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pony up
Verb
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Many players also opt for deferrals and large signing bonuses (as opposed to a higher salary) to avoid paying income tax in certain states.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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The paying public went from raucous to delirious on the next possession, when Curry raced downcourt and splashed a triple off the dribble.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The pressing finally paid off in the 48th minute when Forney sophomore Addison Staats picked the pocket of a Carroll player, raced 30 yards down the left side and threw a perfect cross to Kalani Brundage who was all alone, 5 yards in front of the net.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
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Working on getting stronger and getting extra reps in the cage, Gluting can even feel the work paying off in the early going.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Animal Control would have to save about 600 more pets annually to meet that goal.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
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Tuesday's game is the third time these teams meet this season.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pony up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pony%20up. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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