pay back

verb

1. to retaliate against

   to pay someone back for an insult

2. to give or do (something equivalent) in return for a favour, insult, etc
3. to repay (a loan)

noun

1. 1. the return on an investment
   2. Also calledpayback period the time taken for a project to cover its outlay
2. 1. something done in order to gain revenge
   2. ( as modifier )

      payback killings

Example Sentences

He was not informed the car dealership was being paid 25% commission, which was added on to what he had to pay back.

From BBC

The more likely scenario is that the park’s assets and land, which were recently valued around $21 million, will be liquidated to pay back his debtors.

From Los Angeles Times

That was despite a 2021 report from a cross-party group of MPs that recommended the government stop taking money out and pay back some of what it had already received.

From BBC

Department of Agriculture has a program to pay back farmers for production loss due to the virus.

From Los Angeles Times

In many cases, the sudden demand to pay back benefits left many families worse off and facing financial difficulties, carers have told the BBC.

From BBC

Related Words

• adjust
• compensate
• recoup
• redeem
• reimburse
• relinquish
• remit
• repay