payback

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.

One could read the entire scripture — both the Old and New Testaments — as an allegory for humanity’s penchant for payback, and God’s many warnings against it.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

Australia's national broadcaster, the ABC, reports the crowd of about 400 Aboriginal people outside the hospital yelled that Lewis needed to face "payback" and accused the police of protecting him.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

“There is some payback in our culture,” he added.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

On Ford’s earnings call last month, Chief Executive Jim Farley said the energy storage business has a “short payback period” and that it can be used to “de-risk the core automotive business.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

As the payback for giving me the dirty finger I said out loud to By, “How many cows you counted, By? How many red cars so far?”

From "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis