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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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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What first started as a day of joyriding through the city quickly escalates into an adventure of revenge and exposed secrets.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
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The 3-1 Crimson Tide are looking for revenge after the embarrassing upset in 2024, and a second straight loss to the Commodores could spell doom for the program that head coach Kalen DeBoer is trying to build in his second season in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The lawsuit in Alexandria, Virginia federal court accuses Apple of religious discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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The union held a rally in Queens, hoping to bring attention to the job losses and accusing Amazon of cutting ties with the DSP as retaliation for its drivers joining the Teamsters union last year.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors submitted letters from Cassie Ventura, her parents, and former employees who urged the judge to consider the victims, some of whom fear retribution.—
Kara Scannell,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
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Ventura's former stylist, Deonte Nash, reiterated the singer's concerns about retribution in his letter.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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