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as in to bribe
to influence someone with a bribe
she paid off the security guard so that she could steal whatever she liked
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in profit
the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received
the payoff on the investment was only about $500
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pivotal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pay off
Peter Cohan, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
But Katz said the active approach has been paying off for investors in bonds as active managers can deviate from an outdated AGG approach to bond market representation, with as much as $26 trillion in bond market opportunities that the AGG never touches.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2025
Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2025
Estimates of the payoff from the Inflation Reduction Act’s IRS spending increase range from $561 billion in cumulative additional revenue through 2031 (and $861 billion if the spending increase were extended to 2034) to roughly breakeven.
—Justin Fox, Twin Cities, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Verb
Big scientific breakthroughs can take decades to pay off.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
But Katz said the active approach has been paying off for investors in bonds as active managers can deviate from an outdated AGG approach to bond market representation, with as much as $26 trillion in bond market opportunities that the AGG never touches.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
For a team with zero club basketball players and a roster full of players who have grown up together, Crowder says the payoff of making the title game is even sweeter.
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2025
Estimates of the payoff from the Inflation Reduction Act’s IRS spending increase range from $561 billion in cumulative additional revenue through 2031 (and $861 billion if the spending increase were extended to 2034) to roughly breakeven.
—Justin Fox, Twin Cities, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
Verb
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While the category is new, the Oscars did pay tribute to stunt performers at its 2024 ceremony.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2025
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So why won’t Chicago White Sox pay to keep young starters?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One high-ranking gang member, speaking to CNN, admitted to multiple killings – and said bribing police is routine.—
Abel Alvarado,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
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The same history that members of Congress cited in their decision to negotiate and adopt the FCPA includes the names of dozens of U.S. companies that bribed their way into valuable concessions, procurement contracts, and deals.—
Richard Nephew,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Instead, those companies are more likely to focus services on areas with more people, more places and more profit.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
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In 2021 alone, pre-tax profits for U.S. corporations surged by 25% to $2.8 trillion, far exceeding the 7% rise in consumer prices.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Related Stories As Dickens goes over each of Jesus’ miracles and other pivotal moments ahead of his gruesome death, young Walter walks into the biblical passages as an unseen figure watching from the sidelines and becoming enraptured by the tall tales.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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The Penn State athletic department also credits former Penn State club ice hockey coach Joe Battista, a former school administrator who played a pivotal in securing the original donation from the Pegulas and oversaw the early development of the men’s and women’s D-I programs.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Their new album Rushmere is named after where the band originally met in Wimbledon.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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The policy was met with public outcry and condemnation from pediatric associations, faith leaders, and even members of Trump’s party.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But there’s always somebody who will come around and buy a $50,000 candle.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
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Marquee Brands was in exclusive talks to buy Dockers from Levi Strauss & Co., but ultimately couldn’t get comfortable with the price in the tariff mayhem and had to let the opportunity slip.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In this scenario, the most likely outcome would involve Punk pinning Seth Rollins, providing a decisive conclusion to their ongoing feud with a clear pinfall victory, while strategically preserving Roman Reigns' aura of dominance and mystique by avoiding a direct pinfall loss to Punk.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
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Following his loss of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40, a clean and decisive victory in this non-title main event would be crucial in reestablishing Reigns' aura of invincibility.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The bullpen gave up the lead on the first pitch, and then three more in the deciding 10th inning.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2025
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Travis weeks earlier cited as the deciding and unprecedented factor.—
Chris Vannini,
The Athletic,
9 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pay off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20off. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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