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Dictionary.com
Definitions

pay up

VERB
compensate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
atone pay recoup refund reimburse repay reward satisfy take care of
STRONG
commit indemnify recompense remunerate requite
WEAK
come down with guerdon make good plank out pony up shell out tickle the palm
Antonyms
STRONGEST
lose penalize take
WEAK
damage deprive fine forfeit
VERB
discharge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
pay in full pay off settle
STRONG
clear disburse honor liquidate meet quit relieve satisfy
WEAK
square up
Antonyms
WEAK
owe
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 off shell out spring for
Antonyms
STRONG
deny refuse take withhold
WEAK
charge seize
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 down 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
VERB
square
Synonyms
STRONG
balance bribe buy clear corrupt discharge fix have liquidate pay quit rig settle
WEAK
buy off clear off clear up make even tamper with
Antonyms
STRONG
keep unsettle
WEAK
disagree owe

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.

A shortage of helium—key for the chip-manufacturing process—will force tech giants to pay up to maintain a supply of the crucial gas, and that could present an opportunity for investors.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

That could fuel worries that would-be customers aren’t willing to pay up for a subscription in a tough economic environment.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Serious collectors will be selective about what they buy, but should still be willing to pay up for top-notch works.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Kirby believes there are more customers willing to pay up for premium seating than anyone realized.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

The fairies would pay up because they believed the gold would be theirs again as soon as he was dead.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer