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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to spend
to hand over or use up in payment
rock fans were willing to pay enormous sums to get into the concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to hire
to provide with a paying job
pay someone to mow the lawn for the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in salary
the money paid regularly to a person for labor or services
it's difficult to support two children on her pay
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in payment
something (as money) that is given or received in return for goods or services
we should demand pay for all the overtime we're putting in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025
However, the state auditor claimed that Favre never paid interest and sued him in 2024 for an unpaid $729,000, according to Forbes.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 21 May 2025
Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025
With the number of social media users projected to top 330 million by 2029, according to Statista, creators make a buck or two on links that pay commissions while brands rake in revenue with a cost-effective, pay-per-sale fee.
—Kathy Lee, Footwear News, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay
Verb
The nonprofit is responsible for paying for and completing the second phase, and has raised nearly 70% of costs, Jacqueline Higgins, Forever Balboa Park’s vice president of planning, told the Union-Tribune.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025
However, the state auditor claimed that Favre never paid interest and sued him in 2024 for an unpaid $729,000, according to Forbes.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
His regular pay was $132,417, and his overtime pay was $153,682.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025
With the number of social media users projected to top 330 million by 2029, according to Statista, creators make a buck or two on links that pay commissions while brands rake in revenue with a cost-effective, pay-per-sale fee.
—Kathy Lee, Footwear News, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay
Verb
-
In 2020, a judge ruled that shareholders had been fairly compensated.—
Jemima McEvoy,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
If a borrower, in this case, the U.S. government defaults on its debt, the seller must compensate the buyer.—
Lee Ying Shan,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
With a black brace on his left arm, Steele met with reporters in the home clubhouse before Tuesday’s 4-3 11-inning win over the Colorado Rockies, publicly addressing his future for the first time since the operation.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
Brailsford and Silverman first met during Pride back in 2015 after they were introduced by mutual friends.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Officials spent countless hours consulting with community members, in part, because one of the city’s busiest bus routes runs through the square.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
-
Disney spent $100 million to produce and another $100 million on marketing efforts for the kid friendly adventure about a chaotic alien who crash-lands in Hawaii and gets adapted by a young girl and her older sister.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
This situation highlights a general downturn within the cruise sector, as Carnival Corp has seen a reduction of 12%, Viking Holdings experienced a decline of 2%, and Royal Caribbean stock yielded a modest increase of 3%.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
What was at first written off as mere youthful rebellion, destined to fizzle out, ultimately yielded the appointment of a Deaf president, and helped galvanize the greater movement that led to the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act.—
John Hendrickson,
The Atlantic,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
These reductions have allowed businesses to create new jobs and hire more team members to the benefit of all Floridians.—
Scott Shalley,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2025
-
That outlet said Hardin was hired as police chief for the roughly 1,600-peron town of Gateway near Arkansas’ border with Missouri in January 2016.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
While many observers may have focused on the financial aspects of the deal — reports put his new salary as high as $20 million per year — Smith was more interested in new freedoms.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
27 May 2025
-
Now, some residents and local leaders are worried about the economic consequences of an exodus of federal workers and their salaries.—
Katheryn Houghton,
NPR,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
The technology is also reducing cart abandonment by removing common obstacles like account creation and payment re-entry.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
Lights went off in shops and restaurants, which could only take cash payments.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, private sector workers continue to bear residual financial burdens despite repaying their loans.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
-
Anderson built del Toro’s role around the actor, who repays him with a beauty of a performance, embodying the detached charisma of a morally dubious tycoon with cool ease.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share