pay vs prefer

pay is a noun but prefer is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
pay	Yes	No	Yes	No
prefer	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, prefer is a hyponym of pay; that is, prefer is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than pay:

pay (noun)	prefer (noun)
something that remunerates

pay (verb)	prefer (verb)
dedicate	select as an alternative over another
bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action	like better; value more highly
convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow	promote over another
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services	give preference to one creditor over another
bring in
do or give something to somebody in return
cancel or discharge a debt
make a compensation for
discharge or settle
render
be worth it