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
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Recent Examples of payback
Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
And wouldn’t Johnson enjoy a bit of payback for having his former boss run up the score on him in the first meeting?
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
The opportunity for payback comes with a matching platform and context.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Intent on payback, Bernadine strips all of his clothing from the closet and begins tossing them into his BMW, power-walking between the closet and the vehicle in just a robe and a negligee, carting each load of belongings in a child’s wagon.
—Niela Orr, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
New investment would be needed to keep facilities and operations up to date, with no certainty of payback.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
And wouldn’t Johnson enjoy a bit of payback for having his former boss run up the score on him in the first meeting?
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
The opportunity for payback comes with a matching platform and context.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Intent on payback, Bernadine strips all of his clothing from the closet and begins tossing them into his BMW, power-walking between the closet and the vehicle in just a robe and a negligee, carting each load of belongings in a child’s wagon.
—Niela Orr, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
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The film, which looks at a former political prisoner who considers violent revenge against his prison torturer, was co-written by Panahi, Mahmoudian, Nader Saeiver and Shadhmer Rastin.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Feb. 2026
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First, jilted Australian Outback tribemate Jerri Manthey got her revenge on All-Stars, taking Colby out early in the game.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Brussels began rethinking its Big Tech crackdown last year, but has since faced calls to hold firm and increase enforcement, despite threats of US retaliation over the continent’s regulatory impulses.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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After the complaint, Joly began retaliation by increasing Dupont’s workload while reducing duties of coworkers, the suit contends.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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According to a source familiar with Devastating Pyrotechnics’ operations, who asked for anonymity to avoid retribution, the company operated for more than a decade on Machado’s property, paying $3,500 in rent.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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Bove said Odón would face retribution if returned to Venezuela.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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