payback

[ pey-bak ]

noun

1. the period of time required to recoup a capital investment.
2. the return on an investment:

   This fund yields a payback of 15 percent tax-free.

3. the act or fact of paying back; repayment.
4. something done in retaliation:

   Excluding them from her wedding was a vicious payback for years of being snubbed.

verb phrase

1. 1. to repay or return; pay off:

      Graduates from this program are successfully paying back their student loans.

   2. to retaliate against or punish:

      She paid us back by refusing the invitation.

   3. to requite.

Word History and Origins

Origin of payback¹

First recorded in 1955–60; noun use of verb phrase pay back

Example Sentences

Taylor appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court in September 2023 where he was given two community payback orders for 400 hours of unpaid work.

From BBC

Butts asked to reprogram money meant for highway projects and create a payback mechanism funded through a special tax district.

From Los Angeles Times

Roberts added that he felt a payback vibe throughout the last week.

From Los Angeles Times

Perry called it payback for her refusal to vote for Wesson for council president.

From Los Angeles Times

For all we know, Eric’s payback may be as much about that horse as Shelly, a thinly realized character who will ultimately neither help nor harm twigs’ brand as an entrancing art polymath.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compensation
• reimbursement