as in punishment
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense
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
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Recent Examples of comeuppance
These tend to involve love affairs or status issues or shock revelations and result in dismayed reactions and abrupt comeuppances for previously unflappable characters.
—
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
The ensuing tale of scandal and comeuppance frames the earlier portrayal of the artist as a young man.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Against a Tennessee team that had lost 11 straight home games and entered the day tied for the NFL’s worst record (2-12), the Chiefs were further humbled in this comeuppance of a season.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
In another day and age, the move might appear cheap — a cop-out that suggests cinematic universes and spin-offs and good old-fashioned comeuppance.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comeuppance
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
The ensuing tale of scandal and comeuppance frames the earlier portrayal of the artist as a young man.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Against a Tennessee team that had lost 11 straight home games and entered the day tied for the NFL’s worst record (2-12), the Chiefs were further humbled in this comeuppance of a season.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
In another day and age, the move might appear cheap — a cop-out that suggests cinematic universes and spin-offs and good old-fashioned comeuppance.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comeuppance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comeuppance
Noun
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Fertitta wrote in the Texas Bar Blog that punishment can vary.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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Critics and free speech advocates raised concerns that the punishment violated free speech protections.—
Milla Surjadi,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Joe Biden’s efforts to be the most pro-labor president in history didn’t spare him the wrath of young Starbucks employees who accused him of complicity in genocide.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
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The second-year former first-round draft pick didn’t even have to be on the floor to face Doncic’s wrath.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Minnesota killing off a late-period penalty was about the only highlight for Wild fans, who went to the second intermission a bit stunned at the deficit facing their team.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
16 Mar. 2026
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There are other conditions and penalties the writer has failed to consider.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comeuppance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comeuppance. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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