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payback

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈpeɪˌbæk/ · UK /ˈpeɪbæk/

payback means: Something you do to hurt or defeat someone because they hurt or defeated you earlier.

noun

REVENGEB2

Something you do to hurt or defeat someone because they hurt or defeated you earlier.

  • This is payback for your cruel joke.
  • Beating our rivals felt like payback.
  • He wanted payback for the way they had treated him.

How to use it: payback for something (The prank was payback for his earlier insult.)

Similar words: revenge, retaliation

Common phrases: get payback, payback for something, time for payback

RECOVERED INVESTMENTC1

Money earned from an investment that covers the amount originally spent.

  • The project achieved payback after three years.
  • Lower energy costs shortened the payback period.
  • We calculated the payback on the new equipment.

How to use it: payback on something (Payback on the equipment took two years.)

Similar words: cost recovery

Common phrases: payback period, investment payback, achieve payback

Questions about payback

What does payback mean?

Something you do to hurt or defeat someone because they hurt or defeated you earlier.

What is payback in other languages?

Türkçe: intikam · Español: venganza · Français: vengeance · Deutsch: Rache · Italiano: vendetta · 日本語: 仕返し

How do you pronounce payback?

In American English /ˈpeɪˌbæk/; in British English /ˈpeɪbæk/.

How do you use payback in a sentence?

This is payback for your cruel joke. Beating our rivals felt like payback.

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payback in other languages

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