1
: requital
2
: a return on an investment equal to the original capital outlay
also
: the period of time elapsed before an investment is recouped
Examples of payback in a Sentence
They beat our team last year, so we've got to beat them this year as payback.
we are hoping to get payback for the humiliating defeat we suffered at the hands of our rivals during our last matchup
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Perhaps the Project Hail Mary actor will get his payback this Saturday night?
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey made a similar move, writing to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking for payback from the federal government for her constituents.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 11 Mar. 2026
With Colorado, there will be payback in mind not only for the blowout in February, but also because the Buffaloes eliminated TCU in the Big 12 Tournament last year.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
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.
CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Perhaps the Project Hail Mary actor will get his payback this Saturday night?
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey made a similar move, writing to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking for payback from the federal government for her constituents.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 11 Mar. 2026
With Colorado, there will be payback in mind not only for the blowout in February, but also because the Buffaloes eliminated TCU in the Big 12 Tournament last year.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payback. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
