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
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
The most concerning messages, experts told NBC News, are proclamations from far-right activists, Republican politicians and conservative influencers about a coming civil war and the need for retribution or payback against the left for Kirk’s killing.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025
Well, here’s their chance at proper payback.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Following closely on his heels is a corrupt cop who wants payback for something Brolin’s character did as a cop.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Spending has been uneven this year with pull-forward demand ahead of tariffs, then some payback followed by an apparent reacceleration.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
The most concerning messages, experts told NBC News, are proclamations from far-right activists, Republican politicians and conservative influencers about a coming civil war and the need for retribution or payback against the left for Kirk’s killing.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025
Well, here’s their chance at proper payback.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Following closely on his heels is a corrupt cop who wants payback for something Brolin’s character did as a cop.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
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Some activists have long warned that an RSF takeover of the city would lead to ethnic revenge attacks, as seen after the capture of the Zamzam camp for displaced people to the south.—
Reuters 19 hr ago,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
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The Tigers exacted some measure of revenge by eliminating Cleveland in the wild card series — only to once again lose the ALDS in five games — this time in highly heartbreaking fashion, on a walk-off base hit by the Seattle Mariners in the 15th inning.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Office of Special Counsel is an investigative and prosecutorial office that works to protect government employees and whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting wrongdoing.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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The Office of Special Counsel is an independent federal agency responsible for protecting whistleblowers and investigating retaliation against government employees who report misconduct.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Brown’s retribution after his departure Brown’s goal was massive in the game — and massive for him personally.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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Talk of retribution is precisely the opposite of what markets had hoped for, and is a further about-turn from the White House on relations with Beijing.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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