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
This new tariff would generate significant revenue, and the related workers could come out of the shadows, pay their taxes, and make a more transparent, free and fair labor market. Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025 Policy holders pay different premium amounts depending on flood risk and property value. Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
The bipartisan 2025-27 budget, signed July 3, authorized a 3% pay increase for state employees in 2025 and a 2% increase in 2026. Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025 An Amazon worker on the picket line during a strike over pay at the Amazon.com Inc. fulfilment center in Coventry, U.K., on Feb. 28, 2023. Pia Singh, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay
Verb
  • Developers need to build AI systems that can recognize and compensate for their own biases.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • To compensate for the decreased aroma from the tea leaves during the brewing process, magnolia leaves and olive oil are added to enhance the flavor, giving it a dose of freshness.
    Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • On Rosh Hashanah of 1944, Fernande met a young American Jewish soldier named David Snegg at the Grand Synagogue in Paris.
    Marc Snegg, Time, 7 Aug. 2025
  • In addition to addressing the crowd, Eminem also met some fans and hung out with a few, again thanking them for their support over the past quarter century.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But since paying $4.72 million to YMCA of Central Florida for the 70-acre idyllic playground in northwest Orange County, the city has spent $3.62 million on camp improvements and operations while generating less than a million dollars in revenue over a four-year period.
    Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Beijing has long lacked the enforcement procedures to crack down on investors who spend at least half the year in China but evade a 20% tax on overseas income.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The driver of the Land Rover was cited by Mokena police for failure to yield while turning.
    Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
  • In our experience, starting with high-level goals for core business flows yields the most value.
    Pradeep Govindasamy, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Tarrant County Commissioners Court on Tuesday will consider hiring a lawyer at the center of a controversy in Keller ISD to represent District Clerk Tom Wilder in a second petition calling for his removal.
    Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2025
  • He was hired as an internal auditor in 1999 before taking on leadership positions of increasing authority, including budget and research director, deputy city manager and assistant city manager.
    Shawn Raymundo, AZCentral.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • To wit: If Anthony finishes first or second in Rookie of the Year voting, his salary from 2031-2033 goes up by $1 million each year, and the option increases by $2 million.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Andrew Brandon-Gordon, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer, is coming in with a base salary of $2.8 million, a target bonus of $1.2 million and a one-time restricted stock award valued at $60 million.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • From there, the scammer offers exclusive perks, VIP access, autographed gear, and even romantic promises in exchange for untraceable payments via cryptocurrency or gift cards.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
  • If the winner chooses the annuity, their average annual payment would drop from more than $20 million down to $12.7 million after applying taxes.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Colvin ultimately signed a settlement agreement in August 2020, promising to repay $50,000 by the following month to avoid legal action.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The new option is intended to replace several older programs that have allowed borrowers repay their student loans based on their income, with eventual student loan forgiveness after years in repayment.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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