payback — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An act of revenge.

   Usage

   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Examples

   They beat us last year, so this year's win was payback.

2. A benefit, reward, a form of recompense.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • usually

   Examples

   They identify three tangible paybacks.

3. A return on investment.

   Usage

   • Uncountable
   • usually

4. A refund; reimbursement.

   Usage

   • Rare
   • Uncountable
   • usually

Noun

1. financial return or reward (especially returns equal to the initial investment)

   Broader terms

   returnissuetaketakingsproceedsyieldpayoff

2. the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life

   Synonyms

   vengeanceretribution

   Broader terms

   retaliationrevenge

   Examples

   he swore vengeance on the man who betrayed him

   the swiftness of divine retribution