pays 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of pay
1
as in compensates
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

2
as in meets
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 yields
to produce as revenue an investment paying six percent

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

pays

2 of 2

noun

plural of pay

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 pays
Verb
Children under 4 get in free, those ages 5 to 11 will be charged $2 and everyone else pays $9 a ticket. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025 The gallery reportedly pays more than $700,000 per month in rent on a 20-year lease to owner Weinberg Properties. Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Mar. 2025 Children 6 and under skate for $8 and everyone else pays $15 for regular admission. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025 The first comes in the form of a bet $5, get $150 bonus, while the other pays back up to $1,000 in bonus bets on losing first wagers. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 There will be no need for suspense, as this offer not only pays $150 in bonus bets independent of game outcome, but does so instantly. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 There’s no easy answer – Brannon said a number of factors will influence how much someone pays for their car, including the buyer’s location – but there are a few tips and featuresbuyers can watch out for. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025 Of course, times have changed and the norms of who pays for a wedding have changed greatly. Shelby Wax, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025 Kent Denver pays little mind to old-school principles. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pays
Verb
  • Now, the YouTuber has broken his silence — in a 21-minute video uploaded to his side channel with 272,000 subscribers that only spends around two minutes explaining his recent absence from the internet.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Dec. 2024
  • In one scene that has become an Internet meme, an unemployed Ben spends three weeks making a three-second Claymation music video.
    Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • According to the current budget, the City Attorney’s Office employs just under 425 people and will spend $85 million this year.
    Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The plant employs more than 7,000 people and produces a variety of vehicles, including the Leaf EV and Rogue crossover.
    Michael Wayland, CNBC, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But there is an AI skills gap, which is likely driving the demand and skyrocketing salaries.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Coaches Dan Lanning and Ryan Day are also among the best-compensated in the country, with salaries north of $8 million.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Social Security has promised to increase benefits and make retroactive payments to people affected by the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset.
    Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Interest payments on the federal debt are projected to cost upward of $1 trillion next year — more than what the government will spend on Medicare or the military.
    Alicia Parlapiano, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The best way to tackle this show is to watch Season 1, then look up the big spoiler for Season 2, and then skip Season 2 and watch Season 3, where the program ultimately settles into its melodramatic, soapy groove.
    Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025
  • As Seattle settles into the rainy season, don't expect a sea of umbrellas on the sidewalks.
    Christine Clarridge, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Midfielder Curtis Jones has deputised at right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold (ankle) sidelined, but a fully fit Bradley gives Slot a specialist in that role.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Williams gives Daigneault the freedom to do it.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After a chance encounter on Hollywood Boulevard when Edward stops to ask for directions, the corporate raider hires the street-smart Vivian to spend the night with him at his hotel, which ultimately turns into a week.
    Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The couple even hires a nanny to care for the doll but shortly after her arrival, strange occurrences begin leading them down a dark path.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The right-back still desires a fresh challenge, having wanted to leave during the summer, and getting his significant wages off the books would be beneficial.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Job openings rose to historic levels, unemployment fell to its lowest point since the late 1960s and wages grew at their fastest pace in decades as businesses competed for talent.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Pays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pays. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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