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
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Piper Sandler said the anticipated payback could be a major tailwind for Nike, whose stock is down more than 30% this year.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Some of the fallout was payback.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
So, instead of looking to exercise some demons from their recent past, the Avs will have the opportunity to get payback for ones from further back in the club’s history.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Microsoft highlights productivity gains and organizational change, but there isn’t a focus on tying AI adoption to margin improvement, cost reduction, or payback periods.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Piper Sandler said the anticipated payback could be a major tailwind for Nike, whose stock is down more than 30% this year.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Some of the fallout was payback.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
So, instead of looking to exercise some demons from their recent past, the Avs will have the opportunity to get payback for ones from further back in the club’s history.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
The interview now done and dusted, Armand turns Daniel into a vampire as revenge, Louis and Lestat tearfully reunite, and the interview becomes a best-selling book.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 June 2026
-
Javier Bardem plays the criminal antagonist Max Cady, who is released from prison and immediately seeks revenge on Sam — and his family.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Noun
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In the hours before Iran launched direct attacks on Israel on Sunday -- the first since a fragile cease-fire took hold in April -- Israel carried out strikes targeting Hezbollah sites near Beirut, which Netanyahu described as retaliation for an earlier attack from the militant group.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
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Even as fighting intensified over the weekend—Iran struck Israel overnight in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and Israel struck back—by Monday morning in New York both sides had pledged to de-escalate.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Any actions by the commission, however, will have to navigate disagreements between France — which has advocated for robust measures — and Germany, which is wary of retribution from its top trading partner.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
-
And so there was some retribution in that.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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