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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
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
as in pivotal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pay off
Sara Schilling, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
The woman plans to keep her win mostly to herself to pay off some of her bills and her car.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2025
Estimates of the payoff from the Inflation Reduction Act’s IRS spending increase range from $561 billion in cumulative additional revenue through 2031 (and $861 billion if the spending increase were extended to 2034) to roughly breakeven.
—Justin Fox, Twin Cities, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Verb
The son will save and pay off debt to his mom with his portion, while the mom will share with other family members, lottery officials said.
—Sara Schilling, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
The woman plans to keep her win mostly to herself to pay off some of her bills and her car.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
For a team with zero club basketball players and a roster full of players who have grown up together, Crowder says the payoff of making the title game is even sweeter.
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2025
Estimates of the payoff from the Inflation Reduction Act’s IRS spending increase range from $561 billion in cumulative additional revenue through 2031 (and $861 billion if the spending increase were extended to 2034) to roughly breakeven.
—Justin Fox, Twin Cities, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
Verb
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At its heart, the trial was about whether college athletes and former college athletes should be paid more than nothing for use of their NIL in video games and other products.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Students have very real fears about paying for college Just to be clear, the Education Department still exists, and cannot be closed without an act of Congress.—
Anna North,
Vox,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One high-ranking gang member, speaking to CNN, admitted to multiple killings – and said bribing police is routine.—
Abel Alvarado,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
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The same history that members of Congress cited in their decision to negotiate and adopt the FCPA includes the names of dozens of U.S. companies that bribed their way into valuable concessions, procurement contracts, and deals.—
Richard Nephew,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Cowrie shells and uncut red-and-black bead tubes manufactured in the 17th century reflect the vast profits Britain piled up from the West African slave trade by trafficking enslaved people to plantations in the Caribbean.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 Apr. 2025
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For 18 months, every discussion about Newcastle United’s transfer strategy has necessitated mention of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Despite his criticism, Boyega said his time with the franchise became a pivotal point for his acting career.—
Cheyanne M. Daniels,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
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The textile industry is facing a pivotal moment of transformation.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The interview took place shortly after Zelensky met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
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The decision was met with gratitude from Selena’s family, who released a heartfelt statement on Instagram.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But there’s always somebody who will come around and buy a $50,000 candle.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
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Marquee Brands was in exclusive talks to buy Dockers from Levi Strauss & Co., but ultimately couldn’t get comfortable with the price in the tariff mayhem and had to let the opportunity slip.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Under no pressure, Robinson is able to find Iwobi’s run behind the defence, and this attack leads to the corner from which Fulham scored their decisive third goal.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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And the notion that the administration’s allies in Silicon Valley can quickly produce large numbers of nimble, affordable, and lethal next generation weapons that will give America a decisive edge should be treated with a large grain of salt.—
William Hartung,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The bullpen gave up the lead on the first pitch, and then three more in the deciding 10th inning.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2025
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Travis weeks earlier cited as the deciding and unprecedented factor.—
Chris Vannini,
The Athletic,
9 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pay off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20off. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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