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.

See Examples For:

pay down

The question many in Hollywood are asking is if they will continue that level of output when Ellison has to pay down nearly $80 billion of debt following the merger.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

This follows the failure of last week’s big idea, which was to pay down some of the borrowings with…er…borrowed money.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 24, 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

Best for workers would be the regulatory quagmire ending quickly so the two studios can return to investing in content, ultimately the only way to pay down their debt and create jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 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

See Examples For:

Related Words