comeuppance

noun

come·​up·​pance (ˌ)kəm-ˈə-pən(t)s How to pronounce comeuppance (audio)
Synonyms of comeuppance
: a deserved rebuke or penalty : deserts
One of these days, he'll get his comeuppance for treating people so arrogantly.

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
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.
Whatever pleasure could be had in Nate’s comeuppance was undone by his humiliation dragging out for hours before being put out of his misery; Cassie’s next act as a hype-house doyenne is only handwaved at, and any responsibility for Nate’s unpaid debts handwaved entirely. Alison Herman, Variety, 1 June 2026 Their tart banter in the Netflix hit doesn't rise to the toxic levels of their Roses relationship; in fact, the characters’ relationship ends on a more bittersweet and reflective note, as opposed to the movie’s grim comeuppance. Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026 Only through a RegalView strike and an Equisapiens uprising does Lift get his comeuppance; journalism accomplishes nothing. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 May 2026 Playing an essential role in the comeuppance of Christie is sweatshop worker Jianhu (Poppy Liu, who has some of the film’s more moving scenes). Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for comeuppance

Word History

Etymology

come up + -ance

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of comeuppance was in 1859

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comeuppance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comeuppance. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

comeuppance

noun
come·​up·​pance (ˌ)kəm-ˈəp-ən(t)s How to pronounce comeuppance (audio)
: strong criticism that is deserved
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