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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
Brian Sampson, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
The gamble has paid off with a large core of players that has stayed largely intact for four years.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025
Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
That simplification and ready availability is really the payoff for Alto, says Coleman, even if the actual cost of using L-Charge’s service does not represent a savings over buying power from the grid.
—Ed Garsten, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pay off 
Verb
For now, the Bucks will savor the fact that one of their early-season gambles has paid off in a big way.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
The gamble has paid off with a large core of players that has stayed largely intact for four years.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
The payoff: Elsdon is playing in a national semifinal Thursday night against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, two wins from bringing a third national title to Happy Valley.
—Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
That simplification and ready availability is really the payoff for Alto, says Coleman, even if the actual cost of using L-Charge’s service does not represent a savings over buying power from the grid.
—Ed Garsten, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pay off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pay off
Verb
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Amazon agreed to pay $1 billion a year to secure the rights to NFL Thursday Night Football back in 2021.—
Alex Cranz,
WIRED,
21 Jan. 2025
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Eventually, the cumulative toll of Russia’s war economy will need to be paid.—
Alexandra Prokopenko,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The pair are accused of bribing Thao and Jones to secure access to lucrative contracts with the city of Oakland — a blockbuster case that has cast a cloud over City Hall.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
The Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2025
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For years, Taiwan’s security agencies have warned about Beijing’s growing attempts to infiltrate its armed forces and their espionage activities, particularly efforts to bribe military officers in exchange for national secrets.—
Eric Cheung,
CNN,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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JPMorgan's profit rose to a record high in 2024 as its dealmakers and traders reaped a windfall from rebounding markets in the fourth quarter.—
Pritam Biswas and Nupur Anand,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
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Killer cartels — now declared foreign terrorist organizations under Trump — have earned mind-boggling profits by moving record amounts of drugs and people across the porous southern border.—
Sharyl Attkisson,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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These voters were pivotal in supporting Trump over Harris.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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Robertson had been riding a wave of momentum leading into the playoff matchup, having played a pivotal role in Detroit's Week 18 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Nuñez met with Colombian government officials to identify future collaborations.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2025
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In among all these itinerant jobs, Robert meets Gladys (Felicity Jones), a young woman who sings in the church choir and becomes the incandescent center of his life.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Read on to see what items our readers bought in droves this month.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
28 Jan. 2025
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Consumers who installed solar panels or bought an electric vehicle in 2024 will still receive their tax credits, the company said.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Jeff Buckley’s life started with both an act of embrace and a decisive abandonment.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2025
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The Seahawks scored a decisive 43-8 win over the Denver Broncos to claim the franchise’s first Super Bowl title.—
Vic Tafur,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Travis weeks earlier cited as the deciding and unprecedented factor.—
Chris Vannini,
The Athletic,
9 Dec. 2024
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As a result of the split, Sheboygan city residents play no deciding role in either of the two districts, which both lean heavily Republican.—
Journal Sentinel,
Journal Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pay off
Cite this Entry
“Pay off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pay%20off. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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