pay 1 of 2

1
as in to compensate
to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received we need to pay the cashier and then we can leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to meet
to give what is owed for you ought to pay that bill before it's overdue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in to yield
to produce as revenue an investment paying six percent

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

pay

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pay distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of pay are compensate, indemnify, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

When might compensate be a better fit than pay?

The words compensate and pay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When can indemnify be used instead of pay?

Although the words indemnify and pay have much in common, indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When would recompense be a good substitute for pay?

The meanings of recompense and pay largely overlap; however, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When could reimburse be used to replace pay?

The synonyms reimburse and pay are sometimes interchangeable, but reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

Where would remunerate be a reasonable alternative to pay?

In some situations, the words remunerate and pay are roughly equivalent. However, remunerate clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for.

promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely

When is it sensible to use repay instead of pay?

While in some cases nearly identical to pay, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

When is satisfy a more appropriate choice than pay?

While the synonyms satisfy and pay are close in meaning, satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pay
Verb
As a result, vendors including Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony can expect to pay a cumulative 145% tariff on any consoles shipped from China to the US. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025 Federal investigators ultimately found that its officers use excessive force, discriminate against Black people, conduct stops and searches without probable cause, and arrest people purely for not having the money to pay fines. Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
If it was known that Salah was earning considerably more than some of his team-mates, there was a danger that Liverpool’s pay structure would spiral out of control. Simon Hughes, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 Other unions got the same pay increases under deals that added another $125 million a year to the county’s budget, according to county memos. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay
Verb
  • We don’t get compensated until something goes into production.
    Lauren Coates, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Both Labor and the coalition pledged to directly intervene, if necessary, by exercising the power to acquire the lease and compensating Landbridge Group.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In February 2024, Francis met with the trustees of the University of Notre Dame, a Catholic institution in Indiana.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The Hall of Fame voting panel will meet May 20 in Charlotte and determine the Class of 2026.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Consumers have been optimizing their spending for years, Thomas said, by making smart decisions to have the ability to still spend, particularly on discretionary items.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Ripp is originally a linebacker but spent parts of last year playing edge.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That yielded a partial match, and investigators completed a family tree and identified their suspect, police said.
    Sara Schilling, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
  • There is a problem in our understanding of universal expansion; different methods for measuring the rate of expansion yield different results.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Since hiring French manager Wilfried Nancy in 2023, the Crew have been consistently pleasing to the eye.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • When evaluating an investment, Elliott also hires specialty and general management consultants, expert cost analysts and industry specialists.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The salary cap is projected to be $154.6 million next season with the luxury tax projected as $187.9 million, the first apron projected at $195.9 million and the second apron projected at $207.8 million.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • With a salary cap rising to $95.5 million for 2025-26, the Ducks enter the offseason with what CapWages estimates will be more than $39 million of cap space available for usage.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Recipients can use an SSA calculator to figure out their payment total.
    Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Virginia Housing provided the first mortgage for the project and payments are about $125,000 a month.
    Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Only six games remain, and if the players continue to repay the faith Igor Tudor is putting in them, the Coach should succeed in his mission to secure Champions League football for Juventus next season.
    Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Consumers and businesses could struggle to repay their loans if the import levies reignite inflation and dampen economic growth.
    Niket Nishant and Nupur Anand, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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