comeuppance

noun

(ˌ)kəm-ˈə-pən(t)s How to pronounce comeuppance (audio)
Definition of comeuppancenext
as in punishment
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense as with many action movies, this one ends with a wild chase and an over-the-top fight sequence in which the bad guys finally get their comeuppance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 comeuppance Their tart banter in the Netflix hit doesn't rise to the toxic levels of their Roses relationship; in fact, the characters’ relationship ends on a more bittersweet and reflective note, as opposed to the movie’s grim comeuppance. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026 Only through a RegalView strike and an Equisapiens uprising does Lift get his comeuppance; journalism accomplishes nothing. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 May 2026 Whatever pleasure could be had in Nate’s comeuppance was undone by his humiliation dragging out for hours before being put out of his misery; Cassie’s next act as a hype-house doyenne is only handwaved at, and any responsibility for Nate’s unpaid debts handwaved entirely. — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 June 2026 Channeling Abbie Hoffman, Tolentino encourages people to steal from her own employer, The New Yorker, but does not explain which high crimes David Remnick has committed to earn this comeuppance. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for comeuppance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comeuppance
  1. punishment
  2. wrath
  3. penalty
Noun
  • Wildfires have also scorched thousands of acres in Arizona, which led Phoenix to ban all fireworks on city property including parks and within 1 mile of nature preserves, with punishments including $2,500 fines.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • The parliament in England created laws against Quakers, forbidding them to worship freely, charging them with punishments for refusing to take oaths or refusing to remove their hats.
    — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of punishment
Noun
  • But some have faced pushback, including when two Boise men faced the wrath of their homeowners association for replacing their grass with turf, in part to save water.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
  • Or, faced with the wrath of the huge Baby Boom generation — who tend to be voters and vociferous — will Congress act in time?
    — Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Definition of wrath
Noun
  • Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout Friday after the teams played to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes in Arlington, Texas.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • After the penalty granted by VAR, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped into the box and scored his first carrer goal in a World Cup knockout match.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of penalty

Browse Nearby Words

come up empty
comeuppance
comeuppances
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comeuppance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comeuppance. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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