payback

noun

pay·​back ˈpā-ˌbak 

1

: requital

2

: a return on an investment equal to the original capital outlay

also : the period of time elapsed before an investment is recouped

Synonyms of payback

• revenge
• retaliation
• retribution

Examples of payback in a Sentence

They beat our team last year, so we've got to beat them this year as payback.

we are hoping to get payback for the humiliating defeat we suffered at the hands of our rivals during our last matchup

Recent Examples on the Web

Trailer Dynamics prices its system between €145,000 and €195,000 and targets a payback period of no more than five years. — IEEE Spectrum, 8 July 2026

The broader question for investors is whether initiatives like Frontier can convert today’s heavy AI capex into durable, high-margin growth—or simply extend the payback period. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 July 2026

How about Austin Hill channeling his inner-Kyle Busch and giving Shane Van Gisbergen some payback in Kyle's old RCR Chevy? — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

For many American families, the question is no longer about environmental preference or long-term payback math. — Vinesh Karthic Padmanabhan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing payback

• payback time

Rhymes for payback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback