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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of payback

Noun

Any time Green scored, whether by blowing past Cunningham or not, the Pistons guard raced down the floor for immediate payback — hyping his bench after tough baskets. —Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

Trump is ousting people across the bureaucracy and not hiding his motivation — payback. —Axios, 2 Feb. 2025

But investigators believe Mitchell’s death was in some way payback for the slaying of the boy, law enforcement sources said. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025

The Bills got payback in the 1991 Divisional Round with a 37-14 outcome that was never close. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2025