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
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
The most concerning messages, experts told NBC News, are proclamations from far-right activists, Republican politicians and conservative influencers about a coming civil war and the need for retribution or payback against the left for Kirk’s killing.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025
Well, here’s their chance at proper payback.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Following closely on his heels is a corrupt cop who wants payback for something Brolin’s character did as a cop.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Noun
Spending has been uneven this year with pull-forward demand ahead of tariffs, then some payback followed by an apparent reacceleration.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
The most concerning messages, experts told NBC News, are proclamations from far-right activists, Republican politicians and conservative influencers about a coming civil war and the need for retribution or payback against the left for Kirk’s killing.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025
Well, here’s their chance at proper payback.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Following closely on his heels is a corrupt cop who wants payback for something Brolin’s character did as a cop.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback
Noun
-
Shockley's current attorneys have been fighting for DNA testing of the evidence in the case that wasn't available in 2005 and argue that a mistrial should have been declared over misconduct by the jury foreperson, who showed off his book about a revenge killing to fellow jurors.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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Maye and the Patriots will go on the road in Week 7 for a revenge match for head coach Mike Vrabel against the Tennessee Titans.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Trump threatened impose an additional 100% tariff on all Chinese imports in retaliation.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
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Other sustained findings involved retaliation against deputies and staff.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Talk of retribution is precisely the opposite of what markets had hoped for, and is a further about-turn from the White House on relations with Beijing.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
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The season of retribution is in full -- full throttle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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