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Showing results for repay. Search instead for repay/2.
Definitions

repay

[ri-pey] / rɪˈpeɪ /
VERB
give back money or possession
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compensate offset pay back refund reimburse restore reward
STRONG
accord award balance indemnify rebate recompense remunerate requite return square
WEAK
make amends make restitution make up for pay dues settle up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damage penalize
STRONG
disagree refuse take withhold
WEAK
deprive extort leave alone seize steal
VERB
get even; obtain restitution for past injustice
Synonyms
STRONGEST
pay back
STRONG
avenge reciprocate requite retaliate return revenge
WEAK
even the score get back at get revenge make reprisal return the compliment settle the score square accounts
Antonyms
STRONG
forgive pardon refuse sympathize
WEAK
deprive extort leave alone penalize seize steal take

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.

“While these are precisely the students who will now be protected from excessive federal loans they could not repay, further steps should be considered to facilitate their access to advanced degrees.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

And families can struggle to repay the debt.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Jefferies said that it believes the lawsuit is without merit and that Jefferies has no obligation to repay the loan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

The £377m was classified as a loan, the report said, but the DBT has no repayment schedule in place and it was not apparent that British Steel would be able to repay the loan.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

I knew I’d never be able to repay him for sneaking me out.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

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