Synonyms of pay
24 similar words · 9 opposite words
Another word for pay is spend. Other synonyms of pay are repay. The opposite of pay is discharge.
Synonyms and similar words for pay
verbTo discharge, as a debt or other obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required.
verbMore synonyms
- ante upTo contribute one's share of a payment; to provide funds; to pay what is due.
- cough upOf money: to pay or disburse reluctantly.
- do the needfulTo do what is necessary or required.
- foot the billTo pay for something.
- fork outTo pay out, to hand over.
- fork overTo pay, give up or hand over a large amount of money.
- imburseTo give money to, to pay; to stock or supply with money.
- lay out
- pay the freightTo pay for the cost of transport.
- pay the piperTo pay expenses for something, and thus be in a position to be in control.
- pay the priceTo incur the negative consequences of (one’s own or someone else’s) actions or decisions.
- pay upTo pay in total a sum which is owed, especially when the sum has been owed for a period of time.
- pony upTo pay (usually a bill, debt or due).
- shell outTo pay money, to disburse; especially, to pay a great deal of money.
- spendTo pay out (money).
- stump upTo pay for something, often with reluctance.
- defray obsoleteTo pay or discharge (a debt, expense etc.); to meet (the cost of something).
- expend rareTo consume, exhaust (some resource).
- quit archaicTo pay (a debt, fine etc.).
Opposite of pay
verbMore antonyms
- buyTo suffer consequences for (something) through being deprived of something; to pay for (something one has done).
- earn
- default
- levantTo abscond or run away, especially to avoid paying money or debts.
- repudiateTo refuse to pay or honor (a debt).
- steal
- welsh offensive
- dischargeTo send away (a creditor) satisfied by payment; to pay one's debt or obligation to.
- waive
Meaning of pay
- verb To give money or other compensation to in exchange for goods or services.
- verb To deposit into an account.
- verb To discharge, as a debt or other obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required.
pay in other languages
Questions about synonyms of pay
- What is another word for pay?
- Pay has 24 synonyms on Word.ws, such as spend and repay.
- What is the opposite of pay?
- The opposite of pay is discharge. Other antonyms of pay are repudiate and levant.
- What does pay mean?
- Pay means to give money or other compensation to in exchange for goods or services.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: pay (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of pay.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/pay. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.