1
: requital
2
: a return on an investment equal to the original capital outlay
also
: the period of time elapsed before an investment is recouped
Examples of payback in a Sentence
They beat our team last year, so we've got to beat them this year as payback.
we are hoping to get payback for the humiliating defeat we suffered at the hands of our rivals during our last matchup
Recent Examples on the Web
These details require significant investment and planning, and the commercial payback isn’t always instant, but that’s the point.
—
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: While the payback for most local households will go from six to 10 or more years and still be a worthwhile investment, the elimination of this tax credit is akin to a 42% net after tax price increase.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
When the Eagles got back on the Super Bowl stage to go toe-to-toe with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hurts and his team got their payback.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
In today’s social climate, most people will not risk the wrath of an armed and angry neighbor seeking payback for being reported.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
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Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: While the payback for most local households will go from six to 10 or more years and still be a worthwhile investment, the elimination of this tax credit is akin to a 42% net after tax price increase.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
When the Eagles got back on the Super Bowl stage to go toe-to-toe with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hurts and his team got their payback.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
In today’s social climate, most people will not risk the wrath of an armed and angry neighbor seeking payback for being reported.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payback. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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