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
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pay back
2 of 2phrase
as in reimburse
to make a return payment to
I already paid back what I owed you for groceries.
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Recent Examples of payback
Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Mayor Adams’ lead defense lawyer Alex Spiro has unfairly tried to skew public opinion with public statements — including a claim the case was political payback for the mayor’s criticism of President Biden, prosecutors with the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office wrote in a court filing Thursday.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
While Michigan was busy winning a national championship, Ohio State was assembling a roster that could deliver payback for Ryan Day.
—Austin Meek, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
Picking Gaetz for the nation’s top law enforcement job is the surest sign that Trump wants payback against those he feels wronged by, observers say.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for payback 
Noun
After Juan Soto signed with the New York Mets, his former team has a chance for some payback.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Mayor Adams’ lead defense lawyer Alex Spiro has unfairly tried to skew public opinion with public statements — including a claim the case was political payback for the mayor’s criticism of President Biden, prosecutors with the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office wrote in a court filing Thursday.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
While Michigan was busy winning a national championship, Ohio State was assembling a roster that could deliver payback for Ryan Day.
—Austin Meek, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
Picking Gaetz for the nation’s top law enforcement job is the surest sign that Trump wants payback against those he feels wronged by, observers say.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for payback
Thesaurus Entries Near payback
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
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