paying 1 of 3

Definition of payingnext

paying

2 of 3

noun

as in payment
the act of offering money in exchange for goods or services the actual shopping was quick, but with the long lines, paying for the stuff seemed to take forever

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

paying

3 of 3

verb

present participle of pay
1
as in compensating
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
as in giving
to produce as revenue an investment paying six percent

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

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 paying
Adjective
The idea is to remove non-paying riders, often who are homeless, mentally ill or taking illicit drugs, from the system. Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026 All roles are open and non-paying. Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2026 Customers will still be able to preload $35 for unlimited seven-day travel onto an OMNY card — riding free after paying for 12 trips in any seven-day period — though pre-paying is not required for the unlimited rides. Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026 Under Niccol, Starbucks has brought back its tradition of baristas doodling on cups in Sharpie pens; reinstated self-serve milk and sugar stations; cut 30% of the food and drink menu; ended its open-bathroom policy for non-paying customers; and laid off 1,100 corporate employees in February. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025 So, while a paying customer willing to spend $100 on a coin bundle will typically receive around 100 Sweeps Coins as a bonus, the non-paying customer who mails in a postcard is capped at 5 Sweeps Coins – a nominal amount. Daniel Wallach, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
The inevitable capitalistic evolution of the House settlement that allowed for the paying of athletes guaranteed there would be winners and losers, and the winners are – no surprise – the signal-callers. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 Balanced growth, roads and other infrastructure, continuing a positive approach to economic development, attracting industry and high paying jobs. Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025 Notably, Ditto is the best paying of the three, but doesn’t accept freelancers from California, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
In most of the cases, State Farm denied policyholders who had no connection to the company beyond paying their premiums. J.c. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026 For rural counties with limited money, not paying the attorneys on the juvenile docket allows the court to pay for jurors, attorneys on other dockets, courthouse improvements and more, Fransein said. Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026 Being here, paying however many thousands for tickets and airfare and all the related costs, is for something else. Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026 For the first time since the Federal Reserve began its aggressive rate hikes years ago, the share of homeowners paying steep mortgage rates above 6% now exceeds the elite class of borrowers holding on to rock-bottom rates below 3%. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026 Because of that shift, dog owners can tap into an existing camera network without buying hardware or paying for a subscription. Staff, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026 Our current proposal builds on that leadership position and keeps Kaiser Permanente among the best-paying employees in health care. Tina Patel, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026 This hits home for us in Massachusetts, and residents should be paying attention. Jennifer Nassour, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026 Consumers are paying more attention than ever before. Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paying
Adjective
  • Patients are often misdiagnosed or untreated because rT3 testing and therapies are not profitable.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Congratulations, this film is immensely profitable.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • See video … LISTEN Tune in to learn how billions in taxpayer dollars are lost each year to fraud and improper payments—and whether Congress can rein in the waste.
    , FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Millions are behind on loan payments and at risk of default this year.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Video footage shows Bolt taking shorter strides than Wang but compensating with a much faster cadence, reports People’s Daily Online.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
  • This is not an argument against compensating survivors.
    Jaime Huff, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In another document in the most recent release of the Epstein files, Google co-founder Sergey Brin emailed with Epstein’s girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, about meeting up with Epstein during a trip to New York in 2003, well before Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea.
    David Ingram, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Indeed, the old regs were an indirect way of promoting electrification, as car companies stood little chance of meeting them without battery power or drastic lineup reworkings.
    Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Utilities are spending billions of dollars upgrading their aging infrastructure, while data centers are prompting a surge in demand for electricity.
    Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Wagner Moura Basking in the sun outside The Times newsroom ahead of his digital cover shoot last month, Wagner Moura seemed exceptionally relaxed about spending his Tuesday afternoon in El Segundo with a bunch of journalists.
    Matt Brennan Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This research marks the first time scientists have identified the specific amino acids — arginine and tyrosine — that act as molecular glue, giving spider silk its legendary properties.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • There are also giant granite boulders dotting the shore, giving it a decidedly remote, rugged feel.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Now, Yakitori is thriving, employing more people than ever and expanding its hours.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2026
  • One practice that Swabb has been employing is adding unexpected artwork to rooms throughout her own home that need a bit of extra zing.
    Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The former head of the NYPD School Safety division attempted to steer lucrative city contracts to a Florida businessman in exchange for bribes that included cash payments, luxury hotel stays and Broadway tickets, federal officials said Thursday.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The purchase, which is expected to close in the middle of 2026, aims to make Capital One more competitive in the lucrative corporate card market.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Paying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paying. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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