Synonyms of payback

payback 1 of 2

noun

ˈpā-ˌbak 

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

• revenge
• retaliation
• retribution
• vengeance
• punishment
• reprisal
• compensation
• requital
• counterattack
• chastisement
• counter
• castigation
• counteroffensive
• correction
• amends
• penalty
• restitution
• indemnity
• wrath
• redress
• reparation(s)
• recompense
• indemnification
• desert(s)
• recoupment
• discipline
• nemesis
• remuneration
• quittance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mercy
• grace
• leniency
• clemency
• forgiveness
• pardon
• remission
• lenity

pay back

2 of 2

phrase

as in reimburse

to make a return payment to

I already paid back what I owed you for groceries.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reimburse
• repay
• refund
• compensate
• render (to)
• give back
• pay off
• reciprocate
• pay up
• satisfy
• pay down
• liquidate
• recompense
• quit
• remunerate
• settle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of payback

Noun

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

Alongside these resources, the NPD Hydro portal hosts the NPD Insights catalog for site rankings, as well as the NPD Toolkit, which models payback periods while weighing environmental, community, and electrical grid considerations. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026

This could be karmic payback for making everyone watch Michigan State play in those highlighter green uniforms from a few years ago. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026