Synonyms for "pay"

7 kid-friendly synonyms for pay, sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).

What does "pay" mean?

The word pay is a verb that means: to give money in exchange for something.

Example: "I will pay for it."

Grade K–2Easy synonyms for pay

Younger kids can use these in place of "pay":

Grade 3–5Stronger words for pay

For elementary writers ready to add precision and variety to their vocabulary:

Grade 6–8Middle-school vocabulary for pay

Tier 2 academic alternatives — useful for essays, persuasive writing, and standardized tests:

Opposites of pay (antonyms)

Words that mean the opposite of pay:

FAQ — synonyms for pay

What is a good synonym for pay in a kid's writing?
For K-2 writers, try give. For older students, "spend" reads more naturally in school writing.
How many synonyms does pay have?
We list 7 grade-appropriate synonyms for pay across three reading levels. Adults' thesauruses include dozens more, but most aren't useful for K-8 vocabulary.
Is pay a noun, verb, or adjective?
In this entry, pay is used as a verb.

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