Definitions

pay down

VERB

spend

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allocate concentrate consume contribute donate drop employ expend give invest put in settle use waste

STRONG

absorb apply bestow blow confer defray deplete disburse dispense dissipate drain empty exhaust fritter lavish liquidate misspend squander

WEAK

ante up cast away come across come through cough up evote foot the bill hand out lay out outlay pay up run through shell out spring for throw away use up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build hold keep neglect save shun take take away withhold

STRONG

fill hoard set aside

WEAK

be lazy earn get receive

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.

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pay down

The company plans to use its IPO proceeds to pay down the debt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

Perhaps 15% of global companies are ‘zombies,’ generating enough revenue to pay interest but not pay down principal debt or make shareholder distributions.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026

“This temporary incentive is designed to help borrowers pay down their balances more quickly.”

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 18, 2026

With things like government stimulus checks helping people pay down old debts, many Americans saw their credit scores rise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

Perhaps it is life extension, a kind of loan allowing you to take the assaults heaped upon you now and pay down the debt later.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

pay down

Example Sentences

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