PAY BACK Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

payback 1 of 2

noun

ˈpā-ˌbak

Definition of payback

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of payback

Noun

Daniel Weiner told jurors that the rapper, whose legal name is Durk Devontay Banks, wanted payback for the shooting death of Dayvon Bennett, known as King Von. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 Although not the prohibitive favorite in the SEC, the Tide are still College Football Playoff contenders and are itching for some payback. — Andre C. Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 CFOs should lead difficult conversations about earlier misjudgments while identifying more realistic payback horizons. — Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 While companies have cashed out their refunds—Nike is said to have received about $300 million, and is expecting to see $1 billion by the end of the year, while Amazon got $600 million in paybacks—consumers aren’t seeing the returns. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for payback

Recent Examples of Synonyms for payback

Noun

Is anyone in The Shards getting revenge at this point, though?

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
But where each side diverges is on who was seeking revenge, an act that resulted in the death of an unintended victim — Robinson — instead of Bowman.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of revenge

Noun

But Washington canceled the attack in part because of Gulf Arab states’ concerns about potential retaliation.

— JAMES F. JEFFREY, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
McCoy’s lawsuit alleges that her demotion was in violation of Missouri’s whistleblower statute, which allows public employees to sue for unlawful retaliation after reporting violations of law.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of retaliation

Noun

Conservative hardliners, upset with provisions within the funding bill and the fact that Johnson was relying on Democratic support, pledged to tank other measures from coming to the floor in retribution.

— Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
One Hong Kong author who moved to Taiwan and has published books there is Lee, who spoke on condition of not using their full name out of fear of government retribution.

— KANIS LEUNG, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of retribution

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payable

payback

pay back

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Style

“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payback. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of payback

noun

phrase

Example Sentences

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