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Definitions

pay off

VERB
benefit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid assist contribute to enhance favor further help improve pay promote serve
STRONG
advantage ameliorate avail better build profit relieve succor
WEAK
be good for do for one do the trick fill the bill make a killing make it work for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decrease halt hinder hurt impede injure obstruct stop thwart
STRONG
worsen
WEAK
handicap harm
VERB
bribe
Synonyms
STRONGEST
buy off corrupt entice seduce tempt
STRONG
approach buy coax fix influence instigate lubricate lure pervert reward soap square suborn sugar tamper tip
WEAK
buy back do business get at get to grease palm make a deal oil palm sweeten the pot take care of
Antonyms
STRONG
leave alone straighten
VERB
buy off
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lubricate
WEAK
bribe do business get to grease palm influence make a deal sweeten the pot tamper
VERB
discharge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
pay in full settle
STRONG
clear disburse honor liquidate meet quit relieve satisfy
WEAK
pay up square up
Antonyms
WEAK
owe
VERB
grease
Synonyms
STRONG
corrupt entice fix influence tamper
WEAK
buy off oil someone's palm take care of
VERB
lay off
Synonyms
WEAK
discharge dismiss drop fire let go oust retire early
Antonyms
WEAK
employ hire
VERB
liquidate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
convert quit reimburse repay
STRONG
cash clear discharge exchange honor realize satisfy settle square
WEAK
cash in cash out sell off sell up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
remain stay take
STRONG
fail hold keep owe upset
WEAK
build construct create invest
VERB
pay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bring in produce return
STRONG
sweeten
WEAK
be profitable be remunerative kick back make a return make money pay dividends pay out provide a living show gain show profit yield profit
Antonyms
WEAK
earn lose
VERB
profit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contribute earn improve prosper take advantage of thrive
STRONG
aid avail benefit better clear exploit help pay promote realize recover score serve use utilize
WEAK
be of advantage capitalize on cash in on clean up learn from make a haul make a killing make capital make good use of make it big make money make the most of put to good use reap the benefit stand in good stead turn to advantage work for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decline fail harm hurt lose
STRONG
block condemn deteriorate hinder injure obstruct worsen
VERB
redeem
Synonyms
STRONGEST
reclaim recoup regain repay restore win back
STRONG
cash change cover defray discharge exchange purchase ransom recapture reinstate repossess repurchase retrieve settle
WEAK
buy back buy off call in cash in get back make good replevin replevy take in trade in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forfeit lose
STRONG
hold keep
WEAK
abandon disregard ignore
VERB
remunerate
Synonyms
STRONG
accord award grant indemnify pay post recompense redress reimburse repay requite vouchsafe
WEAK
ante up dish out do business guerdon pay up shell out spring for
Antonyms
STRONG
deny refuse take withhold
WEAK
charge seize
VERB
requite
Synonyms
STRONG
indemnify make pay quit reciprocate recompense redeem redress reimburse remunerate repay respond retaliate return revenge reward satisfy settle
WEAK
make amends make good restitution
Antonyms
STRONG
ask deny depart dissuade fail forgive leave lose pardon penalize refuse request seize sympathize take upset
WEAK
dissatisfy
VERB
return
Synonyms
STRONGEST
make pay score
STRONG
clear net repay yield
WEAK
bring in cash in on clean up make a killing pay dividend show profit
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fail lose
WEAK
ask depart keep leave request take
VERB
revenge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avenge get back at vindicate
STRONG
defend fix get justify match punish reciprocate redress repay requite retort return score square
WEAK
be out for blood even the score fight back fix one's wagon get even give comeuppance hit back kick back make reprisal pay back pay back in spades return the compliment settle up settle with stick it to take an eye for an eye turn the tables on venge
Antonyms
STRONG
deny depart fail leave lose refuse request surrender take
WEAK
forgive pardon sympathize
VERB
satisfy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
meet reward
STRONG
answer atone disburse discharge indemnify liquidate quit recompense remunerate repay requite settle square
WEAK
clear up make good make reparation
Antonyms
STRONG
hold keep owe seize take
WEAK
anger disappoint discontent dissatisfy dissuade fail frustrate upset
VERB
work off
Synonyms
WEAK
repay
NOUN
payment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amount award cash deposit disbursement fee outlay pension premium refund reimbursement remittance reparation repayment restitution return reward royalty salary settlement subsidy sum support wage
STRONG
acquittal advance alimony amends amortization annuity bounty defrayal defrayment discharge down hire indemnification part portion quittance reckoning recompense redress remuneration requital retaliation
WEAK
pay-off paying
Antonyms
STRONGEST
debt penalty
STRONG
whole
NOUN
discharge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
payment in full payoff settlement
STRONG
acquittal disbursement liquidation satisfaction
Antonyms
WEAK
indebtedness owing

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.

He downgraded to a cheaper car and the couple cut expenses—such as going out to eat or buying clothes—to pay off her student loans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The White House has said it will take time for its policies to pay off, pointing to promises by firms and countries of big investments.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

All those infrastructure and energy investments should eventually pay off, according to Benchmark’s Lee.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

For James and his teammates, Sunday’s practice had “value” because it allowed them to clean up some things, do some “teaching” and get some “reps” that will pay off with the playoffs approaching.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

All his hard work on the Argo II would pay off.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.