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
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 payback
Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Some of the fallout was payback.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
So, instead of looking to exercise some demons from their recent past, the Avs will have the opportunity to get payback for ones from further back in the club’s history.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
The study also calculated a market’s median monthly rent cost, yearly rental income, and the payback period.
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
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
Some of the fallout was payback.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
So, instead of looking to exercise some demons from their recent past, the Avs will have the opportunity to get payback for ones from further back in the club’s history.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
The study also calculated a market’s median monthly rent cost, yearly rental income, and the payback period.
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
Late in the finale, Stiles is in pursuit of Wilder, but Stiles’ teenage son Noah (Cedric Joe) is seeking his own revenge for Wilder killing his grandfather.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
Adapted from her 2018 play, the story centers on two sisters (Broadway favorite Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on an epic quest for revenge.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The spokesperson did not address questions regarding whether the raids were done in retaliation for the group’s monitoring of immigration raids.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
But public opinion has flipped since 2023, when Israel, in retaliation for Hamas’s October 7th attack, launched a military campaign in Gaza.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had vowed retribution on Friday following Russia’s heaviest drone and missile attack on Kyiv over a two-day period since the war started more than four years ago.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
-
Smith’s participation in this crime is inexcusable, but Smith owned up to his crime, told the truth in court despite fear of retribution and threats, and has now accepted responsibility and received this long prison sentence.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
