payback

noun

pay·​back ˈpā-ˌbak 

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

• reprisal
• requital
• retaliation
• retribution
• revenge
• vengeance

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

The intent was in part payback for the high tariffs imposed on us, but also to force trade negotiations that are more fair to and for America. —Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025

Between the lines: This logic implies that any country with which the United States experiences a trade deficit, regardless of the reason, is in some way a bad actor and requires tariffs as payback. —Neil Irwin, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025

Most commonly, it is said that consumers have high discount rates and thus require rapid payback on their purchases--which implicitly is the same as saying the product is not cheap. —Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

This match served as payback for Sikoa's interference in Strowman's United States Title match against Carmelo Hayes. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing payback

• payback time

Rhymes for payback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback