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
Is this some warped sense of payback to America for not electing him to a second term in 2020?
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024
Adelson’s payback is likely to be more political than financial.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 25 Nov. 2024
Revisiting the Business Model The lengthy payback period for the upfront investment in public fast chargers has been an issue for many network operators.
—Stacy Noblet, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
The big picture: The seven games feature 10 undefeated schools — and for a few teams, the chance at payback for prior regular season defeats by their championship foes.
—Kyle Stokes, Axios, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for payback 
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024
Adelson’s payback is likely to be more political than financial.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 25 Nov. 2024
Revisiting the Business Model The lengthy payback period for the upfront investment in public fast chargers has been an issue for many network operators.
—Stacy Noblet, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
The big picture: The seven games feature 10 undefeated schools — and for a few teams, the chance at payback for prior regular season defeats by their championship foes.
—Kyle Stokes, Axios, 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 21 Dec. 2024.
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