pay down

verb

paid down; paying down; pays down
Synonyms of pay downnext

transitive verb

: to reduce (a debt) by repaying in part

Examples of pay down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Within five months, Christiansen worked to pay down the debt without telling her husband, while documenting the journey on social media. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 All the while, Skydance will have to pay down its massive debt load. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 Sales tax growth above that threshold will be siphoned off to pay down stadium debt. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026 Making payments on time, paying down credit card balances and keeping older accounts open when practical may help strengthen your credit profile over time. — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pay down

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pay down was in 1975

Rhymes for pay down

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Browse Nearby Words

pay dividends
pay down
PAYE
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pay down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pay%20down. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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