1
2
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
The buildup is definitely better than the payoff of Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse’s mystery-box spectacle, but who cares when the journey is so fun?
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 3 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 some military leaders remain skeptical about the payoff of in-space refueling, the Space Force has an agreement with Astroscale to perform the first refueling of a US military asset in orbit as soon as next year.
—ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
The buildup is definitely better than the payoff of Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse’s mystery-box spectacle, but who cares when the journey is so fun?
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for payoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payoff
Verb
-
McLaurin wants to be paid like one of the top wideouts in the NFL.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Now, the company is worth more than double the price Adobe was willing to pay.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
On the other hand, Piña was charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering, one count of conspiracy and one count of bribing a public official.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
-
In earlier testimony, a Los Angeles hotel employee said Combs bribed him for a video, published by CNN last year, that depicts Combs attacking Ventura in the hotel’s hallway.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
The company, founded by Terry and his wife Kathy, on July 5, 2005, is donating all of the profits from sales at all 36 stores Thursday to the Austin Disaster Relief Network's Central Texas Flood campaign.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
Lygo was joined by ITV boss Carolyn McCall as the network unveiled a set of half-year results that saw profits slashed by 30%, which the broadcaster mainly put down to a stronger six months in 2024 when the men’s Euros soccer tournament was on.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
This is where external coaches can play a pivotal role.—
Michel Koopman,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Longtime viewers would be hard-pressed to name a character more pivotal than Maggie and a star more watchable than Rogers.—
Ryan Coleman Published,
EW.com,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
The Quilters meet at 8:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.—
Carin Schoppmeyer,
Arkansas Online,
27 July 2025
-
If the teams are destined to meet in October again, what do the Red Sox and Dodgers need down the stretch?—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Does Myers have the savings to buy a new mobile home?—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
14 July 2025
-
The winner, who chose to stay anonymous, bought the ticket at a QuickTrip gas station, at 2051 FM 663 in Midlothian, the release states.—
Samara Gerstle,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Curiously, the two players who were decisive in last night’s tie, Coll and Bonmati, were the two major issues for Spain in the run-up to and during these Euros.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
-
The decisive feature that demonstrates the fossil was likely an early arachnid is the unique organization of the brain -- a reverse of the front-to-back arrangement found in present-day crustaceans, insects, centipedes and horseshoe crabs, the researchers said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
23 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 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share