PAY Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

pay 1 of 2

verb

ˈpā

Definition of pay next

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

stiff

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

repudiate

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to yield

to produce as revenue an investment paying six percent

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to hire

to provide with a paying job pay someone to mow the lawn for the summer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pay

2 of 2

noun

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

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

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

Examples 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

Bach said homeowners in California might pay anywhere from $1,000 to upward of $40,000 a year to insure their properties. —

Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2025 Each of these pairs offers a unique take; pay special attention to the Alohas option that’s all over Instagram and the Dries Van Noten kicks every fashion editor at Glamour is coveting. —

Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2025

Noun

That strike was suspended following a tentative agreement promising a 62 percent pay raise over six years. —

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 Nearly 900 Americans are killed and nearly 76,000 are injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet every year, according to the Federal Highway Administration. DoorDash does not give employees extra pay for working in inclement weather. —

Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for pay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay

Verb

The water rushing along the road flutters The dress on the corpse of a woman, As the city descends long days and nights Into legend, which won’t compensate for its disasters.

Czeslaw Milosz, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
But the law says that any workers who receive less than the $16.35 minimum wage must be compensated by the restaurants.

Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2025