payback

noun

pay·​back ˈpā-ˌbak How to pronounce payback (audio)
1
2
: a return on an investment equal to the original capital outlay
also : the period of time elapsed before an investment is recouped

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
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.
But Spaun admitted his plans to give some payback to Hovland. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025 But their payback for two improbable victories was a loss that had seemed highly unlikely. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2025 The Chargers must wait until Week 17 to get a chance to gain a payback for the Houston Texans’ 32-12 rout in an AFC wild-card game in January. Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 14 May 2025 Handout | Getty Images News | Getty Images In comments at a town hall on the NewsNation network, Trump said the deal represents payback for the money the U.S. has spent so far on supporting Ukraine’s war effort. Sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for payback

Word History

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of payback was in 1718

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Cite this Entry

“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payback. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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