as in revenge
the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury
we are hoping to get payback for the humiliating defeat we suffered at the hands of our rivals during our last matchup
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
pay back
2 of 2phrase
as in reimburse
to make a return payment to
I already paid back what I owed you for groceries.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of payback
Andy Rose, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Within the settlement, schools within the Power Five conferences were automatically entered into the payback program, while non-Power Five conference schools could choose to participate.
—Shaela Foster, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
The attack, a storyline payback for Cargill's own hiatus-inducing assault, saw Cargill interrupt Naomi's Elimination Chamber match.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
That is, until Edward shoots and kills him on school grounds, ending Alderman’s payback, and flees the scene with Taylah, who has digitized the prime formula on her phone.
—TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Some Republicans also have expressed interest in payback for Democrats removing Republicans from committees in the recent past.
—Andy Rose, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Within the settlement, schools within the Power Five conferences were automatically entered into the payback program, while non-Power Five conference schools could choose to participate.
—Shaela Foster, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
The attack, a storyline payback for Cargill's own hiatus-inducing assault, saw Cargill interrupt Naomi's Elimination Chamber match.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
That is, until Edward shoots and kills him on school grounds, ending Alderman’s payback, and flees the scene with Taylah, who has digitized the prime formula on her phone.
—TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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