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
As a result, vendors including Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony can expect to pay a cumulative 145% tariff on any consoles shipped from China to the US. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025 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
Noun
If it was known that Salah was earning considerably more than some of his team-mates, there was a danger that Liverpool’s pay structure would spiral out of control. Simon Hughes, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 Other unions got the same pay increases under deals that added another $125 million a year to the county’s budget, according to county memos. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay
Verb
  • We don’t get compensated until something goes into production.
    Lauren Coates, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Both Labor and the coalition pledged to directly intervene, if necessary, by exercising the power to acquire the lease and compensating Landbridge Group.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Only, during the 2010 World Cup when England met Germany in the last 16, to change his tune again.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Ripp is originally a linebacker but spent parts of last year playing edge.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Consumers have been optimizing their spending for years, Thomas said, by making smart decisions to have the ability to still spend, particularly on discretionary items.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That yielded a partial match, and investigators completed a family tree and identified their suspect, police said.
    Sara Schilling, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
  • There is a problem in our understanding of universal expansion; different methods for measuring the rate of expansion yield different results.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In addition to hiring Fletcher the previous summer, Shero had recently supplemented the hockey operations staff with Tom Fitzgerald, a former NHL player.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • When Bruce Boudreau needed to hire an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks in 2014, one of his top candidates was already inside the organization.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The remote Queensland town of Julia Creek, population 500, is offering about double the salary a family physician would earn in the state’s capital, Brisbane.
    Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Not to mention the fact that the average salary in the U.S. sits below that figure, at around $66,622, according to the latest data from the Social Security Administration.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Recipients can use an SSA calculator to figure out their payment total.
    Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Without any changes in interest rates or refinancing, that could ultimately amount to the city paying more than $800 million; those make up the bulk of the agreement, with contingent payments also possible.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Only six games remain, and if the players continue to repay the faith Igor Tudor is putting in them, the Coach should succeed in his mission to secure Champions League football for Juventus next season.
    Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Consumers and businesses could struggle to repay their loans if the import levies reignite inflation and dampen economic growth.
    Niket Nishant and Nupur Anand, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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