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
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, threatened payback against Israel after a wave of strikes on steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear areas inside the Islamic Republic.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
The novel works well as a story about sisters and sisterhood, toxic relationships, payback, herbs and a touch of the mystic.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
But Cluff made four free throws in the final 43 seconds, and the Boilermakers got some payback for a two-point loss at Pauley Pavilion in January.
—CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Be wary of those who push for your cash without offering sufficient collateral or payback plans.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, threatened payback against Israel after a wave of strikes on steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear areas inside the Islamic Republic.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
The novel works well as a story about sisters and sisterhood, toxic relationships, payback, herbs and a touch of the mystic.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
But Cluff made four free throws in the final 43 seconds, and the Boilermakers got some payback for a two-point loss at Pauley Pavilion in January.
—CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
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The Wu-Tang Clan founder directed, wrote and produced the revenge thriller that follows an ex-military convict (Shameik Moore) seeking redemption in a small town.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
3 May 2026
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That’s Joel Schumacher’s 1993 revenge thriller about a fed-up white Angeleno who embarks on a violent odyssey across an alienating urban hellscape to reunite with his daughter.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2026
Noun
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The judge allowed three of her 13 claims — including breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation, to proceed to trial.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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With the retaliation allegation still standing, and Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit dismissed months ago, Lively had sworn to carry on.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The story will alight on themes central to Park’s oeuvre of vengeance, retribution, the consequences of violence and the power of memory and family, but this time in the American West.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
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Politico went through 45 years of FEMA records and found that no other president, going back as far as Reagan, has denied a majority of requests from any states, let alone singled out states for political retribution using FEMA dollars.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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