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

Heath also flagged additional research suggesting the carbon payback period may be less than a year. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

There’s some credence to the idea that recent weeks’ selling pressure was something of a pulling-forward of the modest payback that history suggests should be expected for this month. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025

How does the payback compare to the ROI (i.e., useful life of retrofit/payback)? —Thomas Grizzetti, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Your tortured soul is getting a bit of payback for something. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 22 Dec. 2024