Synonyms of payback

payback 1 of 2

noun

ˈpā-ˌbak 

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

• revenge
• retaliation
• retribution
• vengeance
• punishment
• reprisal
• compensation
• requital
• counterattack
• chastisement
• counter
• castigation
• counteroffensive
• correction
• amends
• penalty
• restitution
• indemnity
• wrath
• redress
• reparation(s)
• recompense
• indemnification
• desert(s)
• recoupment
• discipline
• nemesis
• remuneration
• quittance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mercy
• grace
• leniency
• clemency
• forgiveness
• pardon
• remission
• lenity

pay back

2 of 2

phrase

as in reimburse

to make a return payment to

I already paid back what I owed you for groceries.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reimburse
• repay
• refund
• compensate
• render (to)
• give back
• pay off
• reciprocate
• pay up
• satisfy
• pay down
• liquidate
• recompense
• quit
• remunerate
• settle

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of payback

Noun

Another surprising thing of note: Severide and Damon’s tiff ends in amends, not payback on Damon’s part. —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 16 Oct. 2024

So the Dodgers franchise now has a chance for some psychic payback, 58 seasons later. —Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 13 Oct. 2024

Maxime plans to abduct Gru Jr. as payback, which is a far cry from the early threats of extermination, but still evil. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 June 2024

Don’t forget to track and measure the success of your efforts to facilitate continuous improvement and quantify payback in the eyes of top management and other constituents. —Martin Zwilling, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024