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
Relevance
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
ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
The angry ocean off Scituate (as pictured above) is claiming payback with more than 5,400 homes left in the dark.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Capital expenditures for supplier decarbonization projects are often delayed because of long payback periods that suppliers cannot handle alone.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026
No franchise in football, and few in sports, have begged more patience from fans with so little payback across so much time.
—Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
The payback could come in the draft as the third running back taken in the top 10 in the past four years.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
The angry ocean off Scituate (as pictured above) is claiming payback with more than 5,400 homes left in the dark.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Capital expenditures for supplier decarbonization projects are often delayed because of long payback periods that suppliers cannot handle alone.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026
No franchise in football, and few in sports, have begged more patience from fans with so little payback across so much time.
—Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
Hezbollah denied the connection when speaking to the New York Times but said Ghazali’s motive for the synagogue attack was revenge for his family.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Mar. 2026
-
According to the Office of the State's Attorney for Howard County, Wyketa Burgess, 40, conspired with her co-defendant, Dieneba Traore, to seek revenge against perpetrators who robbed Traore's son.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All three lawsuits allege retaliation against town officials.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The victims asked not to be identified out of fear of retaliation.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Doncic then sent the fans home happy, retribution for a loss in Denver that preceded their five-game winning streak.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
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Those employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, described being asked a wide range of questions about government contracts and campaign donations.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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