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
Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey made a similar move, writing to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking for payback from the federal government for her constituents.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 11 Mar. 2026
With Colorado, there will be payback in mind not only for the blowout in February, but also because the Buffaloes eliminated TCU in the Big 12 Tournament last year.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026
The payback could come in the draft as the third running back taken in the top 10 in the past four years.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Perhaps the Project Hail Mary actor will get his payback this Saturday night?
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey made a similar move, writing to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking for payback from the federal government for her constituents.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 11 Mar. 2026
With Colorado, there will be payback in mind not only for the blowout in February, but also because the Buffaloes eliminated TCU in the Big 12 Tournament last year.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026
The payback could come in the draft as the third running back taken in the top 10 in the past four years.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
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Merrill's home run robbery provided a boost early on, but McGonigle got revenge with a game-winning two-run single in a four-run eighth inning for Detroit en route to a 5-2 victory.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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These two teams swept each other on the road during the regular season, but Hicks and the Pios exacted part one of their revenge with a 2-1 overtime victory in the semifinals of this year’s Frozen Faceoff.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In retaliation for a ground invasion, Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen could attack ships in the Red Sea, halting the flow of oil and cargo via a route that’s been used to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Iran has targeted vessels trying to make a crossing in retaliation, effectively stalling marine traffic.—
Charlene Gubash,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Local politicians that previously supported the chorus, either socially or financially, are now fearful of retribution by the governor, Cabrera said.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
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Resistance, rebellion and retribution all come out to play in one of Disney+’s most consistent series that’s unafraid to put its larger-than-life characters into the maw of Venus fly trap-like set of moral and ethical issues.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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