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
Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
The opportunity for payback comes with a matching platform and context.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Intent on payback, Bernadine strips all of his clothing from the closet and begins tossing them into his BMW, power-walking between the closet and the vehicle in just a robe and a negligee, carting each load of belongings in a child’s wagon.
—Niela Orr, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, Jost and Johansson teamed up for payback during the May rendition of the joke swap segment.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
And wouldn’t Johnson enjoy a bit of payback for having his former boss run up the score on him in the first meeting?
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
The opportunity for payback comes with a matching platform and context.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Intent on payback, Bernadine strips all of his clothing from the closet and begins tossing them into his BMW, power-walking between the closet and the vehicle in just a robe and a negligee, carting each load of belongings in a child’s wagon.
—Niela Orr, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, Jost and Johansson teamed up for payback during the May rendition of the joke swap segment.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
Both Coleman and Ijeboi will have the chance at revenge games next season.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
13 Jan. 2026
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Although the film became a template for white revenge fantasies, its street thugs are assembled with almost comic care to avoid racial bias.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Brussels began rethinking its Big Tech crackdown last year, but has since faced calls to hold firm and increase enforcement, despite threats of US retaliation over the continent’s regulatory impulses.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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After the complaint, Joly began retaliation by increasing Dupont’s workload while reducing duties of coworkers, the suit contends.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, the current regime in Washington has already demonstrated a monstrous capacity for retribution.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Most of those cases are believed to be sitting idle as investigators prioritize easier complaints, according to staffers who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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