Definitions

pay

[pey] / peɪ /

NOUN

earnings from employment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allowance compensation fee income payment profit reimbursement remuneration reward salary stipend wage

STRONG

bacon bread commission consideration defrayment emoluments hire honorarium indemnity meed perquisite pittance proceeds reckoning recompense redress reparation requital return satisfaction scale settlement takings wages

WEAK

recompensation stipendium take-home

Antonyms

STRONGEST

debt loss penalty

VERB

give money for goods, services

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compensate disburse extend grant handle meet offer present refund reimburse repay settle

STRONG

adjust bequeath bestow clear confer defray discharge foot honor liquidate prepay proffer recompense recoup remit remunerate render requite reward satisfy stake

WEAK

bear the cost bear the expense chip in come through cough up dig up foot the bill hand over kick in make payment plunk down put up take care of

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deny deprive hold penalize refuse take take back withhold

STRONG

confuse dishonor dissatisfy dissuade fail keep upset

WEAK

earn lose

VERB

be advantageous

Synonyms

STRONGEST

benefit repay serve

WEAK

be worthwhile

Antonyms

STRONGEST

take

WEAK

earn lose

VERB

make amends

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compensate

STRONG

answer atone suffer

WEAK

be punished suffer consequences

Antonyms

WEAK

earn lose

VERB

profit, yield

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bring in pay off 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

get revenge

Synonyms

STRONGEST

pay back repay

STRONG

punish reciprocate recompense requite retaliate square

WEAK

avenge oneself get even make up for pay one's dues settle a score square things

Antonyms

STRONG

refuse

WEAK

earn lose

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.

Some ticket machines accept cash but if it is card only, the passenger must obtain a Promise to Pay ticket from the machine.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026

But after 2028, they will no longer be able to enroll in some of the plans currently available, including Pay as You Earn and Income Contingent Repayment.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

When you use your bank card, Apple or Google Pay, you pay with physical money that exists in your account.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

White’s most popular shows, such as “Love Don’t Pay the Bills” and “Tears of a Hustler,” are made for peanuts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

But I need to write something on the form, so I write, Pay for the fireworks and do something to fix the park.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

pay

Example Sentences

Related Words