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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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of payoff
Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
All those contradictory moves paid off during the 12-day war.
—Karen Elliott House, Time, 10 July 2025
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 5 July 2025
Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area A bit of a drive, but the payoff is immense.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for payoff
Noun
The value of Bitcoin would be used to pay off existing debt, so what matters is the remaining Bitcoin value after debt repayment.
—Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
All those contradictory moves paid off during the 12-day war.
—Karen Elliott House, Time, 10 July 2025
Adjective
While there’s a slight learning curve (Campbell recommends watching a few how-to videos), the payoff is worth it: healthy-looking volume, shape, and shine, all with less damage.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 5 July 2025
Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area A bit of a drive, but the payoff is immense.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for payoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payoff
Verb
-
That payment was bumped to $2 million when Blitzer took over; NWSL prices were already on the rise, and that was in line with what Angel City and the San Diego Wave paid when they were awarded teams in 2020 and 2021.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
8 July 2025
-
A lot of users paid to have their dresses professionally preserved.—
Hannah Pittard,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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More millions to bribe politicians to ease child labor requirements.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Federal prosecutors argued Combs and his associates were worried about being arrested after the attack on Ventura caught on 2016 hotel surveillance cameras and sought to bribe a security guard in return for the footage.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Wimbledon gives ninety per cent of its profits to Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association, to encourage participation in the sport and to support the next generation of élite players.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
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McIntyre has been touring his Chronically Online Podcast around the U.S. since January under an 0-1 visa, which is how most artists, comedians, or creators such as himself do so legally for profit.—
Fortesa Latifi,
Rolling Stone,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2025
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This is the first of a six-part series looking at figures who have played a pivotal role in a modern football success story.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
3 July 2025
Verb
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As Southeast Asian foreign ministers met in Kuala Lumpur on July 10-11, U.S tariff issues hovered over them like a menace.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
14 July 2025
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Japanese government officials have met with their U.S. counterparts seven times since Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's initial meeting with Trump at the White House in February, the Japanese government official said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
Verb
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First-timers can rent shoes or buy gear at Water Stone Outdoors in Fayetteville and book half- or full-day private climbing trips with New River Mountain Guides.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
-
Does Myers have the savings to buy a new mobile home?—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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The idea that no one was born inherently superior, that status wasn’t tied to birth but to citizenship and shared rights, was a radical break in human history and a decisive rejection of Old World European ideology.—
Jared Nordlund,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 July 2025
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The second set ultimately went all the way to a tiebreak, and after trading two mini-breaks apiece, the British pair gained a decisive two-point advantage, aided by a Pel double-fault.—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, the person must show race was the crucial and deciding factor.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Payoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payoff. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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