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
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 May 2025
His vote drew fierce protests and even prompted a ballot measure to seize his 200-year-old New Hampshire farmhouse as payback.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 9 May 2025
But Bolton wouldn’t go that far, even after 100 days of payback.
—Sean Rameswaram, Vox, 2 May 2025
Many of his statements reviewed by NPR suggest motivations based on personal grievances, partisan politics and a desire for payback.
—Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
The Knicks got payback in the same round two years later, with Ewing’s 31.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game leading them to a 3-2 series victory.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 May 2025
His vote drew fierce protests and even prompted a ballot measure to seize his 200-year-old New Hampshire farmhouse as payback.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 9 May 2025
But Bolton wouldn’t go that far, even after 100 days of payback.
—Sean Rameswaram, Vox, 2 May 2025
Many of his statements reviewed by NPR suggest motivations based on personal grievances, partisan politics and a desire for payback.
—Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
Moscow vowed revenge for the strikes, which Ukrainian officials celebrated as a historic success.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 June 2025
-
The rapid suspension by ABC News demonstrates how networks are on edge over their news organizations antagonizing the Trump White House, which has shown a willingness to extract revenge on its critics.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
The numbers were leaked to the paper by former Kennedy Center employees and confirmed by a current staff member, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
-
Jun-mo takes out the hit on Gi-seok in retribution.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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