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
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
In Europe, where gas prices are higher, many industrial heat projects are achieving payback periods of 5 to 7 years.
—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Reed’s victims relished a chance at payback when the writer tried his hand at acting in the atrocious 1970 film adaptation of Gore Vidal’s novel Myra Breckinridge.
—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Brady brought payback and zingers to the Netflix 'Roast of Kevin Hart' in a surprise all-star appearance at the Kia Forum.
—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
This wasn’t just a World Cup quarter-final but payback for England’s win at that stage of the tournament in 1966 and revenge, as Maradona later wrote in his autobiography, for the Falklands War of four years earlier.
—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
In Europe, where gas prices are higher, many industrial heat projects are achieving payback periods of 5 to 7 years.
—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Reed’s victims relished a chance at payback when the writer tried his hand at acting in the atrocious 1970 film adaptation of Gore Vidal’s novel Myra Breckinridge.
—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Brady brought payback and zingers to the Netflix 'Roast of Kevin Hart' in a surprise all-star appearance at the Kia Forum.
—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
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In the months after Assad’s fall in Syria, there were several eruptions of violence between groups loyal and opposed to al-Sharaa that spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks, in which Sunni Islamist fighters affiliated with the new government carried out attacks on Alawite and Druze civilians.
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Kara is addicted to drowning her sorrows and avoiding responsibility, but learns to embrace heroism after embarking on a quest for revenge alongside Ruthye (Eve Ridley).
Noun
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Potential jurors questioned on harassment, retaliation A jury pools of roughly 300 Johnson County residents was whittled down to 110 on Monday morning before attorneys began their questions.
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No connection between the two investigations was alleged, though police said in the wake of the mass shooting that there were concerns about gang retaliation.
Noun
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Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin turned a downtown Sacramento street corner bustling with nightlife into a battleground in a gang shootout fueled by rivalry and retribution, a Sacramento County prosecutor told jurors Tuesday.
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Now, after both pleading guilty, the duo that was initially scheduled for a federal court sentencing back in April will face their legal retribution later this month.
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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