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

Some of the smaller, privately held operators have used the current boom as an opportunity to pay down debt rather than focusing on getting ahead, he added.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

And that’s money the billionaire can apply to pay down the debts of two troubled Delaware life insurers he owns that are under federal scrutiny.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

You actually have three options: pay off the mortgage, continue making your regular mortgage payments or pay down part of the mortgage to reduce your monthly expenses.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 8, 2026

The combined company won’t be relying on a stable business to pay down debt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

For nearly a decade after, she and Mama had worked every single day to pay down those debts, and they’d come so close.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

pay down

Example Sentences

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