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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of payback
Brynn Cooksey, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Cargill returned at Elimination Chamber to deliver some payback.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
According to the World Economic Forum, companies that assess their climate risks and act on them report paybacks of $2 to $19 for every dollar invested, depending on the sector.
—Elena Bou, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
In a few online forums, men have floated the idea of creating their own men-only version of the app as payback for women’s use of Tea.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Simple Payback Simple payback is a financial metric that calculates how quickly an investment is recovered.
—Brynn Cooksey, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Cargill returned at Elimination Chamber to deliver some payback.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
According to the World Economic Forum, companies that assess their climate risks and act on them report paybacks of $2 to $19 for every dollar invested, depending on the sector.
—Elena Bou, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
In a few online forums, men have floated the idea of creating their own men-only version of the app as payback for women’s use of Tea.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
Gaza played host to the conflict’s multiple historical layers of enmity, rage, and revenge.—
Hussein Agha,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
-
It’s driven by entitlement, ideology, revenge, or the pursuit of power.—
Victor Petreca,
Time,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
With exit and severance packages pending, many former and current workers would only speak anonymously, out of fear of retribution.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
21 Aug. 2025
-
After Hank flees to New Vegas, Lucy and The Ghoul follow him in pursuit of retribution.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share