English

payback

ˈpeɪbæk, ˈpeɪ.bæk, ˈpeɪˌbæk
Meaning: an act of revenge; a situation in which someone suffers because of their bad behavior in the past
Part of Speech: Noun Alternative Readings: ˈpeɪ.bæk, ˈpeɪˌbæk

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Example

It felt like payback for her past mistakes.
It felt like payback for her past mistakes.

Usage Notes

Used informally to describe negative consequences that feel like punishment for something bad done previously. It can also mean a financial return on an investment.

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