comeuppance

noun

come·​up·​pance (ˌ)kəm-ˈə-pən(t)s 

: a deserved rebuke or penalty : deserts

One of these days, he'll get his comeuppance for treating people so arrogantly.

Synonyms of comeuppance

• punishment
• wrath
• penalty

Examples of comeuppance in a Sentence

One of these days, he'll get his comeuppance for treating people so arrogantly.

as with many action movies, this one ends with a wild chase and an over-the-top fight sequence in which the bad guys finally get their comeuppance

Recent Examples on the Web

But whether or not the good are rewarded, the greedy get their comeuppance, or old creative sparks are rekindled soon become beside the point. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026

Maybe Coach would finally get his karmic comeuppance. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026

The novel used all these tensions to propel a study of greed, avarice, and racial divisions between the haves and have nots, leading to McCoy getting his comeuppance. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026

On Monday, Golden was forced to recalibrate after Saturday’s 91-74 comeuppance in the semifinals against Vanderbilt ended Florida’s 12-game winning streak. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

come up + -ance

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for comeuppance

• tuppence

Kids Definition

comeuppance

noun

come·​up·​pance (ˌ)kəm-ˈəp-ən(t)s 

: strong criticism that is deserved