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Definitions

pay back

VERB
exchange
Synonyms
STRONGEST
swap
STRONG
alternate bandy bargain barter castle change commute correspond displace flip-flop interchange invert market network rearrange reciprocate replace reverse revise seesaw shift shuffle shuttle substitute switch traffic transact transfer transpose truck
WEAK
buy and sell cash in change hands contact with convert into deal in give and take go over to hook up horse-trade link up pass to return the compliment swap horses turn the tables
Antonyms
STRONG
continue deny hold keep leave alone refuse remain
VERB
fix
Synonyms
STRONGEST
get
STRONG
hurt punish
WEAK
cook someone's goose get even get revenge take retribution
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forgive let bygones be bygones overlook
WEAK
aid assist break help
VERB
get back at
Synonyms
WEAK
be avenged get even retaliate revenge take vengeance
VERB
make restitution
Synonyms
WEAK
atone compensate make good indemnify pay damages recompense refund reimburse repay square
VERB
pay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
repay
STRONG
punish reciprocate recompense requite retaliate square
WEAK
avenge oneself get even make up for pay one's dues settle a score square things
Antonyms
STRONG
refuse
WEAK
earn lose
VERB
refund
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjust compensate recoup redeem reimburse relinquish remit repay
STRONG
balance indemnify recompense redress remunerate restore reward settle
WEAK
give back honor a claim make amends make good make repayment make up for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deprive forfeit hold keep lose penalize take
VERB
render
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deliver distribute give provide restore
STRONG
cede exchange furnish impart minister pay present relinquish repay return show submit supply surrender swap tender trade yield
WEAK
give back give up hand over make available make restitution part with turn over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
hold keep take withhold
STRONG
conceal deny fight hide leave alone refuse seize veto win
WEAK
cloud confuse fail obscure remove suppress
VERB
repay
Synonyms
STRONG
avenge reciprocate requite retaliate return revenge
WEAK
even the score get back at get revenge make reprisal return the compliment settle the score square accounts
Antonyms
STRONG
forgive pardon refuse sympathize
WEAK
deprive extort leave alone penalize seize steal take
VERB
repay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compensate offset refund reimburse restore reward
STRONG
accord award balance indemnify rebate recompense remunerate requite return square
WEAK
make amends make restitution make up for pay dues settle up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damage penalize
STRONG
disagree refuse take withhold
WEAK
deprive extort leave alone seize steal
VERB
restitute
Synonyms
STRONG
adjust balance compensate indemnify recompense recoup redeem redress reimburse relinquish remit remunerate repay restore reward settle
WEAK
give back honor a claim make amends make good make repayment make up for
Antonyms
STRONG
confuse damage deprive forfeit hold keep lose penalize seize take upset worsen
VERB
retaliate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
reciprocate
STRONG
get pay recompense repay requite retrospect return revenge revive settle
WEAK
even the score exact retribution get back at make reprisal return the compliment square accounts strike back take an eye for an eye take revenge turn the tables on turn upon wreak vengeance
Antonyms
STRONG
depart leave lose take
WEAK
forgive pardon sympathize
VERB
return
Synonyms
STRONGEST
give replace restore send
STRONG
bestow convey react rebate reciprocate recompense reestablish refund reimburse reinstate remit render repay requite reseat restitute retaliate transmit
WEAK
carry back hand back make restitution put back reinsert roll back take back thrust back toss back
Antonyms
STRONG
deprive hold keep refuse take
WEAK
ask depart leave pay request
VERB
revenge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avenge get back at vindicate
STRONG
defend fix get justify match punish reciprocate redress repay requite retort return score square
WEAK
be out for blood even the score fight back fix one's wagon get even give comeuppance hit back kick back make reprisal pay back in spades pay off return the compliment settle up settle with stick it to take an eye for an eye turn the tables on venge
Antonyms
STRONG
deny depart fail leave lose refuse request surrender take
WEAK
forgive pardon sympathize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"When I was first out of university, working as a personal trainer I wasn't making that much money and didn't pay back anything in my student loan because I wasn't earning enough."

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

Lawyers for the bank have said Javice and Amar will never be able to pay back such large amounts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

“Cartoons were inspired by the slapstick masters. This was a way to pay back to that period that also inspired the Minions.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

SpaceX said it plans to use the sale’s proceeds to pay back a bridge loan—and might issue additional debt for “general corporate purposes.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

Then Peaches gave them her whole two hundred dollars wedding gift money, which J.T. said he was going to pay back but I know he didn’t have a job.

From "145th Street: Short Stories" by Walter Dean Myers

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