payback
noun/ˈpeɪbæk/
Etymology Deverbal from pay back.
1
Usually An act of revenge.
- They beat us last year, so this year's win was payback.
2
Usually A benefit, reward, a form of recompense.
- They identify three tangible paybacks.2009 February 2, Carol Goar, “You can help cleaners earn decent wages”, in Toronto Star:
3
Usually A return on investment.
4
Rare, Usually A refund; reimbursement.
- Synonyms
- repayment, getback, revenge, reprisal, just deserts, poetic justice
- Derived terms
- community payback, energy payback time