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Definitions

buy off

VERB
bribe someone in order to receive a favor
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lubricate
WEAK
bribe do business get to grease palm influence make a deal pay off sweeten the pot tamper

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There will not be any dynamic pricing in this sale, but prices are likely to be considerably higher if fans try to buy off Fifa's resale site following this phase.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025

Is this a reasonable amount, or just enough to buy off the powerful bike lobby?

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

Pecker testified—as Cohen will—that Pecker, Trump, and Cohen agreed in late 2015 to buy off and kill salacious stories that could damage Trump’s campaign.

From Slate • May 8, 2024

Nothing you buy off the rack is going to be perfect.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2023

For just a few dollars each day, parents could buy off their guilt.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt