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
Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Without the tax credits, solar systems might still make financial sense in places that get a lot of sun or have high electricity prices, or both, but the payback period will likely grow.
—Tik Root, Wired News, 24 May 2025
The average payback period for an investment in Smartex is nine to 18 months, according to the Apparel Impact Institute.
—Lucy Handley, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Clark allowed Bueckers to drop to the end of the first round but got a little payback by taking the final Husky, Gabby Williams, with her second reserve pick.
—Zach Powell, New York Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Tensions heightened June 23 over possible payback by Tehran against the U.S. or its allies after strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities amid fears that the Mideast conflict could spiral into a wider war.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Without the tax credits, solar systems might still make financial sense in places that get a lot of sun or have high electricity prices, or both, but the payback period will likely grow.
—Tik Root, Wired News, 24 May 2025
The average payback period for an investment in Smartex is nine to 18 months, according to the Apparel Impact Institute.
—Lucy Handley, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Clark allowed Bueckers to drop to the end of the first round but got a little payback by taking the final Husky, Gabby Williams, with her second reserve pick.
—Zach Powell, New York Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
Failure to see the humanity in a source means students might miss when a law is written to exact revenge, when a diary is embellishing an event, or when a preacher’s sermon has a joke in it.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
15 July 2025
-
More recently Fortune reports that ‘revenge quitting’ is ready to take its place, with disgruntled employees venting their frustrations by walking out the door.—
London Business School,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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President Trump is reshaping a student loan cancellation program into what some fear will become a tool for political retribution, taking aim at organizations that serve immigrants and transgender youth.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2025
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But the real question is what kind of concrete retribution Trump could try to exact on his erstwhile political ally and campaign donor.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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