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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But Katz said the active approach has been paying off for investors in bonds as active managers can deviate from an outdated AGG approach to bond market representation, with as much as $26 trillion in bond market opportunities that the AGG never touches.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
Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Following an excellent spring after signing a one-year, $15 million deal, Verlander looked as advertised in the first inning, retiring the side in the first inning with two strikeouts, ending the frame by freezing Elly De La Cruz with a payoff curveball.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 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But Katz said the active approach has been paying off for investors in bonds as active managers can deviate from an outdated AGG approach to bond market representation, with as much as $26 trillion in bond market opportunities that the AGG never touches.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
The payoff will depend as much on Washington as on Brussels or Berlin.
—Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Following an excellent spring after signing a one-year, $15 million deal, Verlander looked as advertised in the first inning, retiring the side in the first inning with two strikeouts, ending the frame by freezing Elly De La Cruz with a payoff curveball.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
Verb
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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
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So McMahon and the Pullman community, who share her love for the church in Historical Pullman National Park, have banded together to pay the roughly $20,000 bill and reopen the church.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
14 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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In 2016, the NBA reduced its playoff cut to 25%, providing a significant boost in the opportunity for postseason profits.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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The closure will give Wall Street a brief break after a turbulent week that saw the Dow plunge into the red Thursday, following UnitedHealth's annual profit forecast.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
18 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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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
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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
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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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That’s exactly what WWE fans got inside Allegiant Stadium, with a short but sweet bout that ended in decisive fashion when Cargill demolished Naomi with a massive Jaded finisher.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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And, in fact, Democrats are winning special elections month after month after month, including most recently a decisive one in Wisconsin earlier this month for the state Supreme Court.—
Isabel Danzis,
ABC News,
20 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 25 Apr. 2025.
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