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
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
-
While Matty hunts for clues and argues cases, Bates covertly thumbs through the psychological layers of a woman on a well-meaning revenge mission.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 May 2025
-
Still, the Yankees, fresh off a sweep over the Angels after a 1-0 win on Wednesday, would love to extract some regular season revenge with a group that looks noticeably different than the one that the Dodgers knocked down on baseball’s biggest stage.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
However, a current DOJ official, speaking to WIRED on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, defended the collection and retention of migrant DNA.—
Dhruv Mehrotra,
Wired News,
29 May 2025
-
Claims from staffers included being penalized for taking medical leave, repeated racial microaggressions and fear of retribution for raising complaints about working conditions.—
Erica Marrison,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share