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

While low-hanging fixes such as efficiency improvements can be self-funded through short-term debt, major infrastructure upgrades like industrial heat pumps or electric boilers require payback periods of five to 10-plus years. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

The victory was also payback for West Boca (3-0), which avenged last season’s 26-20 overtime loss to Newman. — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Some of the voice actors have said in interviews that there’s so much emotional payback in that scene, and everyone’s going to have so many complicated emotions about the really beautiful scene. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

While the popularity of Carney’s trade tactics are popular now, political analysts suggest support for the Canadian government’s tariff payback could wane should the economy take a downturn. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 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