1
: requital
2
: a return on an investment equal to the original capital outlay
also
: the period of time elapsed before an investment is recouped
Synonyms
Examples of payback in a Sentence
They beat our team last year, so we've got to beat them this year as payback.
we are hoping to get payback for the humiliating defeat we suffered at the hands of our rivals during our last matchup
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Additionally, a shortage of skilled tradespeople and long payback periods for major upgrades further discourage building owners.
—Ali Hoss, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for payback 
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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
Additionally, a shortage of skilled tradespeople and long payback periods for major upgrades further discourage building owners.
—Ali Hoss, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for payback
Dictionary Entries Near payback
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payback. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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