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
Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Brady brought payback and zingers to the Netflix 'Roast of Kevin Hart' in a surprise all-star appearance at the Kia Forum.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Microsoft highlights productivity gains and organizational change, but there isn’t a focus on tying AI adoption to margin improvement, cost reduction, or payback periods.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Piper Sandler said the anticipated payback could be a major tailwind for Nike, whose stock is down more than 30% this year.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Reed’s victims relished a chance at payback when the writer tried his hand at acting in the atrocious 1970 film adaptation of Gore Vidal’s novel Myra Breckinridge.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Brady brought payback and zingers to the Netflix 'Roast of Kevin Hart' in a surprise all-star appearance at the Kia Forum.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Microsoft highlights productivity gains and organizational change, but there isn’t a focus on tying AI adoption to margin improvement, cost reduction, or payback periods.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Piper Sandler said the anticipated payback could be a major tailwind for Nike, whose stock is down more than 30% this year.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
After leaving rehab early and returning to South Texas, Beulah's son, Rob-Will Jackson (Jai Courtney), encourages Chet to get revenge for being fired from 10 Petal.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
-
His pain turns to hatred, and with that, an intense urge for revenge.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
In a follow-up email the next day, the judge speculated to Pryor that the law clerk may have invented things in retaliation for being required to work in the office.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
The Big 12 cites cases where government threats of retaliation, including prosecution and legal harassment, constitute an infringement of the freedom of association.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
This appears to be part of a broader campaign of retribution, following investigations involving former FBI Director James Comey and others.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
15 June 2026
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The activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of government retribution and arrest, said Min Zin had visited China multiple times before.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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