as in earnings
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 payoffs
First, the software giant is doubling down on capital expenditures as Wall Street increasingly asks when investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure will produce more dramatic payoffs in revenue growth.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
These distinctions are useful to understand fiber’s benefits, but practically speaking, any whole plant food will offer a mix of soluble and insoluble fibers, packing all of the related health payoffs.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 25 Mar. 2026
Showrunner Dario Scardapane expertly crafts each hour to move the plot, characters and themes toward both their blowout conclusions and larger narrative payoffs.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors said at the time that the two received about $600,000 in payoffs and embezzled money.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
While states are generally inclined to fund more clinical and translational research, which would have more immediate payoffs for taxpayers, the plan also specifically calls for funding basic research that seeds clinical discoveries.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 20 Feb. 2026
That means potential payoffs but also extreme danger.
—James Ward, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
The pitchers were first charged in November with accepting several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two gamblers from their native Dominican Republic win at least $460,000 by placing more than 100 in-game prop bets and parlays on the speed and the outcome of certain pitches.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
The latest earnings reports from major technology companies have revived investors’ concerns about payoffs on elevated artificial intelligence (AI) spending.
—Tipranks, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
These distinctions are useful to understand fiber’s benefits, but practically speaking, any whole plant food will offer a mix of soluble and insoluble fibers, packing all of the related health payoffs.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 25 Mar. 2026
Showrunner Dario Scardapane expertly crafts each hour to move the plot, characters and themes toward both their blowout conclusions and larger narrative payoffs.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors said at the time that the two received about $600,000 in payoffs and embezzled money.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
While states are generally inclined to fund more clinical and translational research, which would have more immediate payoffs for taxpayers, the plan also specifically calls for funding basic research that seeds clinical discoveries.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 20 Feb. 2026
That means potential payoffs but also extreme danger.
—James Ward, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
The pitchers were first charged in November with accepting several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two gamblers from their native Dominican Republic win at least $460,000 by placing more than 100 in-game prop bets and parlays on the speed and the outcome of certain pitches.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
The latest earnings reports from major technology companies have revived investors’ concerns about payoffs on elevated artificial intelligence (AI) spending.
—Tipranks, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payoffs
Noun
-
And, more broadly, upscale travel became more popular with consumers, driving airline profits.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
-
Before the game, Rozier allegedly tipped off a group of bettors, who wagered on his plan to leave early — generating tens of thousands of dollars in profits.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Democrats face an optimistic midterm outlook based on historical patterns showing the party out of power gains substantial House seats and Trump’s approval rating hovering around 40%, well below the 50% threshold that portends political trouble for a president’s party.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Despite Becerra’s gains, Republicans Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, and Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco remain the overall front-runners.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The sale-leaseback is one way that private equity investors generate returns from hospital investments, but the deals leave the hospitals on the hook for paying rent.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Sunshine returns on Monday along with warmer temperatures.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payoffs. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
