1
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
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
Allison Moses, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
The prepayment penalties unfairly restrict borrowers who wish to pay off their debts early, penalizing responsible financial behavior and discouraging economic mobility.
—Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Alex Sherman, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
In the opening weekend of MLS’s 30th season, the payoff from that kind of aggressive model was evident in multiple markets.
—Paul Tenorio, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Verb
And his persistence paid off when the chair turned up in the garage of Peggy's younger sister.
—Allison Moses, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
The prepayment penalties unfairly restrict borrowers who wish to pay off their debts early, penalizing responsible financial behavior and discouraging economic mobility.
—Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
Netflix views tonnage as an unnecessary burden, inflating the cost of sports for little to no payoff.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
In the opening weekend of MLS’s 30th season, the payoff from that kind of aggressive model was evident in multiple markets.
—Paul Tenorio, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
Verb
-
The resort also pays for the catch the fishermen willing to sell them.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The elementary school would be fully paid for by this state fund, Reinhart told the City Council.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Four years later, federal prosecutors in New York charged the company with bribing Chinese officials.—
Andrea Chang,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2025
-
And to add insult to injury, while cutting off food aid to millions of starving Africans, Trump has suspended enforcement of the rules against Americans bribing foreign officials.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Putting aside the many risks, there are clearly vast profits to be made in doing business with Russia, which incidentally also has the world’s fourth biggest reserves of rare earths, far bigger than Ukraine’s.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
-
As part of the request, which was filed to state regulators Friday, the company is seeking a rate of shareholder profit with a midpoint of 11.9% — well above the national average.—
Emily L Mahoney,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Gameweek 26 will probably prove to be a pivotal one in the Premier League title race.—
Abdul Rehman,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The British Fashion Council, which has long played a pivotal role in shaping British fashion, champions innovation and creativity.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Avs looking forward Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland met with local media earlier this week and hinted captain Gabriel Landeskog likely wasn’t coming back before the end of the regular season.—
Pierre LeBrun,
The Athletic,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were drawn to meet in a potential blockbuster quarterfinal at the upcoming Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Beaverton resident Abbas Shafii bought the jackpot-winning ticket on Jan. 17 at a Fred Meyer store in Beaverton, about 8 miles west of Portland, the Oregon Lottery announced Friday.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Organizations that embrace this shift—leveraging freelance platforms as integral extensions of their workforce and using AI as the connective tissue—will gain a decisive edge in innovation, agility, and speed.—
John Winsor,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Brown assisted on Horford’s decisive layup and blocked two shots in the fourth quarter, helping offset his 0-for-5 shooting over the final 17 minutes.—
Zack Cox,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Pay off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20off. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share