comeuppance

[ kuhm-uhp-uhns ]

noun

, Informal.

1. deserved reward or just deserts, usually unpleasant:

   He finally got his comeuppance for his misbehavior.

comeuppance

/ ˌkʌmˈʌpəns /

noun

1. informal.
   just retribution

Word History and Origins

Origin of comeuppance¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1855–60; from the phrase come up (as in judgment for a trial) + -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of comeuppance¹

C19: from come up (in the sense: to appear before a judge or court for judgment)

Example Sentences

Everyone likes to see a bully get his comeuppance, seeing him get laughed at is a special treat.

From Salon

And villains typically, though not always, get their comeuppance.

From Los Angeles Times

They did Gigi dirty, and I hope I'm around to laugh when comeuppance finally arrives for those responsible.

From Salon

"Their downfall has been their confidence or arrogance around the fact that they thought that they could take another human life and then thought there would be no comeuppance."

From BBC

Given the possibility of appeals, which would at least delay his comeuppance, I wouldn't say that the prosecutions are causing him to “lose his sh*t”.

From Salon

Related Words

• retribution