pay off 1 of 3

verb

Definition of pay offnext
1
as in to pay
to give what is owed for I finally paid off the loan

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

payoff

2 of 3

noun

ˈpā-ˌȯf How to pronounce payoff (audio)
as in profit
the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received the payoff on the investment was only about $500

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

payoff

3 of 3

adjective

as in pivotal

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 pay off
Verb
Forty-one percent of respondents overall - and just 5% if Democrats - said Trump's policies would pay off eventually. — Jason Lange, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025 The measure, led by Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.), states the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) would pay off outstanding meal debt. — Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
So again, this is why teams pay these high prices: the potential payoff. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025 And love is both the pathway to that connection and the payoff. — Arianna Huffington, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
  1. pay
  2. bribe
  3. profit
  4. pivotal
  5. meet
  6. buy
  7. decisive
  8. deciding
Verb
  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) will pay millions of Americans benefits next month.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • In 1999, Salton Inc. paid $137.5 million for rights to use Foreman’s name on grills.
    — Mark Puleo, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of pay
Verb
  • Tom Seidler, now the Padres’ vice president of community and international impact, bribed John’s 10-year-old son to work on his dad regarding the ubiquitous Petco park chant.
    — Kevin Acee, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Sure, Zachary Beck has had his business absorbed into that of a more violent and ruthless arms merchant, but his sins are far worse than just bribing customs officials to avoid import duties on rugs or whatever.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of bribe
Noun
  • Launching March 21, up to a 10 percent stake will be available for fans, who will be able to share in potential profits and ownership of horror characters and franchises, and enjoy first-looks and perks.
    — Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Perini refers to the economics of a $50 ribeye steak, explaining that 50% of the cost is tied to food, 40% goes to labor and overhead, and only about 10% is actual profit.
    — Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of profit
Adjective
  • Gherardi was a pivotal figure in the eyewear industry.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The task demanding such heroic efforts was to select the American wines that would compete in the reenactment of one of modern history’s most pivotal wine competitions.
    — David Rosoff, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of pivotal
Verb
  • San Diego college basketball teams are meeting the moment and making history.
    — Kate Murphy, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
  • According to State Law Firm, violations such as driving on restricted roads or failing to meet safety standards can result in: Fines up to $250 Impoundment of your golf cart.
    — Fernanda Galan, Sacramento Bee, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of meet
Verb
  • In essence, people who lease a car today are helping to buy Tesla a fleet for tomorrow.
    — Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • For the first time, regular people could buy books about history, politics and philosophy.
    — Margie Burns, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of buy
Adjective
  • Connor McDavid, who assisted on Draisaitl’s decisive tally, has only 85 points to sit fourth in NHL scoring.
    — Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
  • But in a manner which belied her age, Andreeva refocused in the decisive set by breaking her Polish opponent twice in the first five games and ran away to clinch her second victory over Świątek in as many tournaments.
    — Ben Morse, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • Travis weeks earlier cited as the deciding and unprecedented factor.
    — Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
  • As a result of the split, Sheboygan city residents play no deciding role in either of the two districts, which both lean heavily Republican.
    — Journal Sentinel, Journal Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2024
Definition of deciding

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Cite this Entry

“Pay off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20off. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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