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.

Middle-class households in particular are struggling to pay down balances as more families “shift to a pattern of survival debt,” said Bruce McClary, spokesman for the foundation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

That’s long been thought to be compensation for prepayment risk—the risk that the investor will receive less interest back than first appears, because homeowners can pay down their mortgages early.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

That money could equally well be used to pay down the federal debt, relieve student loans, or provide better public education.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

The stock has dropped more than 80% over the past five years as the company’s cash flow has shrunk, leaving it without enough to both pay out investors and pay down its debts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

“That was stupid. We could have sold that computer to help pay down your debt.”

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

pay down

Example Sentences

Related Words