What is the meaning of paying back?

noun

  • A reciprocal group action.
    • usage: "in return we gave them as good as we got"

verb

  • Act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions.
  • Take vengeance on or get even.
    • usage: "We'll get them"; "That'll fix him good"; "This time I got him"
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APAWordNet. (2010). paying back. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/paying_back/definitions/1300812
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "paying back" http://smartdefine.org/paying_back/definitions/1300812 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, paying back, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/paying_back/definitions/1300812>.
MLAWordNet. "paying back" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/paying_back/definitions/1300812>