pay back

Verb

Meaning

take vengeance on or get even

act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

get reward fix repay pay off return cover pay returning restore offset revenge compensate punish avenge
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Antonyms

abuse embezzle pay it forward illtreat eat crow eat humble pie
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Hypernyms

move act get back get even

Related terms

pay the piper pay the price pay off old scores

Examples

Let there be a door to thy mouth, that it may be shut when need arises, and let it be carefully barred, that none may rouse thy voice to anger, and thou pay back abuse with abuse. Ambrose

The gift of life is so precious that we should feel an obligation to pay back the universe for the gift of being alive. Ray Bradbury

The only way I can pay back for what fate and society have handed me is to try, in minor totally useless ways, to make an angry sound against injustice. Martha Gellhorn

Who borrows has to pay back his debt. Estonian Proverb

One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind. Malay Proverb

He took the devil's mat, but he'll pay back with his skin. Russian Proverb

Close letter words and terms

pay attention pay attention to pay attentions to pay back in spades pay badly pay bar