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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of payback
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
But Cousins managed a payback nearly four minutes later, scoring off a rebound of a Shane Pinto shot for a 1-0 Ottawa lead.
—CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Maybe all these injuries were payback for the good fortune of the past few seasons.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Instead of tackling the usual staples like hierarchy, territoriality, simmering violence and payback, this is primarily a reflection on care work as a gift to the bestower as much as the receiver.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
So as long as the earnings continue to outpace estimates there may not be much payback in the near term.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
But Cousins managed a payback nearly four minutes later, scoring off a rebound of a Shane Pinto shot for a 1-0 Ottawa lead.
—CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Maybe all these injuries were payback for the good fortune of the past few seasons.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Instead of tackling the usual staples like hierarchy, territoriality, simmering violence and payback, this is primarily a reflection on care work as a gift to the bestower as much as the receiver.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
Incensed, Oseguera plotted revenge in 2009 and 2010 with others who were unhappy with Milenio’s new leadership and spearheaded a deadly coup.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The original film tells a captivating and fragmented story of Mexico City’s underbelly, exploring the harsh realities of the underworld through three interlocking narratives of hope, betrayal, and revenge.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the short term, there is retaliation.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
-
According to The Hill, Murat has said her mother was detained in retaliation for her aunt's activism against China's treatment of Uyghurs.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On Sunday, cartel operatives roamed the streets with guns, hijacking cars, ordering passengers out and setting the vehicles ablaze, authorities said, part of a wave of retribution attacks.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name, the series explores a crime that shatters a decades-long friendship between three women, delving into guilt, retribution, love, betrayal and life-altering compromises.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
