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
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, threatened payback against Israel after a wave of strikes on steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear areas inside the Islamic Republic.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
The novel works well as a story about sisters and sisterhood, toxic relationships, payback, herbs and a touch of the mystic.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
But Cluff made four free throws in the final 43 seconds, and the Boilermakers got some payback for a two-point loss at Pauley Pavilion in January.
—CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Be wary of those who push for your cash without offering sufficient collateral or payback plans.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, threatened payback against Israel after a wave of strikes on steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear areas inside the Islamic Republic.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
The novel works well as a story about sisters and sisterhood, toxic relationships, payback, herbs and a touch of the mystic.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
But Cluff made four free throws in the final 43 seconds, and the Boilermakers got some payback for a two-point loss at Pauley Pavilion in January.
—CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
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To say both programs, but even more so both fan bases, want revenge against their former coach would be quite the understatement.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The movie is understood to follow a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits who use the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and terrorize the occupants of a small town.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some witnesses from immigrant communities declined to participate in the in-person hearings, citing fears of retaliation from the federal government, Baset said.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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The union accuses the company of engaging in interference and retaliation by disciplining a bargaining committee member for attending bargaining sessions, protected activity under federal law.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The story will alight on themes central to Park’s oeuvre of vengeance, retribution, the consequences of violence and the power of memory and family, but this time in the American West.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
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Politico went through 45 years of FEMA records and found that no other president, going back as far as Reagan, has denied a majority of requests from any states, let alone singled out states for political retribution using FEMA dollars.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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