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
Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
So, instead of looking to exercise some demons from their recent past, the Avs will have the opportunity to get payback for ones from further back in the club’s history.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
The city of San Antonio, Texas, which came in seventh on the list overall, had the lowest median sale price of $250,000, but similarly low median monthly rental rates of $1,290 with a payback period of more than 16 years.
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026
But maybe that was the payback for Hall on Sanderson.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Some of the fallout was payback.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
So, instead of looking to exercise some demons from their recent past, the Avs will have the opportunity to get payback for ones from further back in the club’s history.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
The city of San Antonio, Texas, which came in seventh on the list overall, had the lowest median sale price of $250,000, but similarly low median monthly rental rates of $1,290 with a payback period of more than 16 years.
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026
But maybe that was the payback for Hall on Sanderson.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
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Since her divorce from country music star Keith Urban, actress Nicole Kidman has been embracing a bold new era of revenge dressing.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
8 May 2026
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Şengün’s Rockets were eliminated by the Lakers in their first-round series, meaning there will be no repeat revenge run in the playoffs like the one Haliburton had.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Most of their clients were too scared to speak publicly, citing fear of retaliation.—
Shoshana Walter,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
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An independent special prosecutor would be no more shielded from retaliation than the state's attorney.—
Lauren Victory,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
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The move marked a dramatic escalation in an already bitter legal battle, shifting the focus to retribution as Lively attempts to hold her opponents financially accountable.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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Many parents are afraid to go on the record against a school or coach for fear of retribution against their son or daughter, so for a teenager to go out on the limb and put himself up to possible ridicule was both stunning and courageous.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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