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
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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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of payback
Mike Miller, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
This is nothing but pure political payback for a state that refused to support him in his last three presidential bids.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Mayor Eric Adams has said it again and again: The federal corruption charges brought against him last year were payback for his criticism of President Biden’s handling of the migrant crisis.
—William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Maybe the Penguins staff expected Fleury to seek some payback because we’re told Fleury had to search long and hard for Crosby’s bag.
—Michael Russo, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for payback 
Noun
Pamela Anderson says The Last Showgirl success is 'the best payback' after Pam & Tommy
Turning to the ending, what is your take on the reality of the events?
—Mike Miller, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
This is nothing but pure political payback for a state that refused to support him in his last three presidential bids.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Mayor Eric Adams has said it again and again: The federal corruption charges brought against him last year were payback for his criticism of President Biden’s handling of the migrant crisis.
—William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Maybe the Penguins staff expected Fleury to seek some payback because we’re told Fleury had to search long and hard for Crosby’s bag.
—Michael Russo, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for payback
Thesaurus Entries Near payback
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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