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
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
The most concerning messages, experts told NBC News, are proclamations from far-right activists, Republican politicians and conservative influencers about a coming civil war and the need for retribution or payback against the left for Kirk’s killing.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025
Well, here’s their chance at proper payback.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Following closely on his heels is a corrupt cop who wants payback for something Brolin’s character did as a cop.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Spending has been uneven this year with pull-forward demand ahead of tariffs, then some payback followed by an apparent reacceleration.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
The most concerning messages, experts told NBC News, are proclamations from far-right activists, Republican politicians and conservative influencers about a coming civil war and the need for retribution or payback against the left for Kirk’s killing.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025
Well, here’s their chance at proper payback.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Following closely on his heels is a corrupt cop who wants payback for something Brolin’s character did as a cop.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
Some activists have long warned that an RSF takeover of the city would lead to ethnic revenge attacks, as seen after the capture of the Zamzam camp for displaced people to the south.—
Reuters 19 hr ago,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The Tigers exacted some measure of revenge by eliminating Cleveland in the wild card series — only to once again lose the ALDS in five games — this time in highly heartbreaking fashion, on a walk-off base hit by the Seattle Mariners in the 15th inning.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some in Seoul’s government worry that stronger ties to Trump could invite Chinese retaliation or alienate progressive voters.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Fay survives only for the mob’s retaliation to take his girlfriend and destroy his chance at a new life.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The seductive pull of righteous retribution gives way to a full-on god complex, setting the stage for an extraordinary cautionary tale in the form of a cat-and-mouse procedural.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
All spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were either not authorized to discuss the effort or feared retribution for disclosing it.—
Joshua Goodman,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share