pay down

VERB

spend

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allocate concentrate consume contribute donate drop employ expend give invest put in settle use waste

STRONG

absorb apply bestow blow confer defray deplete disburse dispense dissipate drain empty exhaust fritter lavish liquidate misspend squander

WEAK

ante up cast away come across come through cough up evote foot the bill hand out lay out outlay pay up run through shell out spring for throw away use up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build hold keep neglect save shun take take away withhold

STRONG

fill hoard set aside

WEAK

be lazy earn get receive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That money could equally well be used to pay down the federal debt, relieve student loans, or provide better public education.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

Gary Gillespie, founder of Leda Art Supply, plans to use part of his $18,000 to pay down a credit line used to invest in new products.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

“Whenever income tax comes around, I usually pay down my credit cards and catch up on bills,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Anything left, Hivernat added, helps pay down the half-a-million dollar debt incurred from opening the restaurant.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Many other Monticello people were later sold to pay down Jefferson’s debts.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

pay down

Example Sentences

Related Words