as payback for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as payback for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action is taken in retaliation or as a form of revenge for something that was done previously. Example: "He decided to spread rumors about her as payback for the way she treated him last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They think of it as payback for all the sacrifices their parents made for them.

The New York Times

The victory also served as payback for the Knicks' overtime loss in Brooklyn on Nov. 26.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps accordingly, "Episodes" serves as payback for all the creative pilfering over the years.

The New York Times - Arts

MPs of all parties see it as payback for the expenses scandal.

The Guardian - Opinion

What bigger scalp could there be as payback for Osama bin Laden?

The Guardian - Opinion

His aides described it as payback for her delay of months in supporting him.

The New York Times

Wilson and his allies claimed Bush officials publicly identified Plame as payback for his dissent.

The Washington Post

That flagrant foul was viewed as payback for Hansbrough's hard foul on Dwyane Wade earlier in the game.

The New York Times - Sports

He will march them to King's Landing to overthrow Cersei as payback for what the Lannisters did to his family.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

India sees Balochistan as payback for Pakistani meddling in Kashmir – which explains why Pakistani generals despise the nationalists so much.

The Guardian

Murphy and director John Landis devised the role as payback for Jewish comedians adopting "blackface" in the early 20th century.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as payback for" when you want to clearly express that an action is a direct response to a previous negative action, implying a sense of retaliation or revenge. For neutral or positive responses, consider alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "as payback for" in formal or professional writing where a more neutral or objective tone is preferred. Phrases like "as a result of" or "in response to" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as payback for" functions as a causal connector, linking an action to a prior event that serves as the reason or motivation for that action. As Ludwig shows, it explicitly implies retaliation or retribution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as payback for" is a commonly used phrase that serves as a causal connector, indicating that an action is performed in retaliation or revenge for a prior event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral, its tone can lean towards informal. When writing, consider the formality of your audience and context, and choose alternatives like "in response to" or "as a result of" for more neutral or objective expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in retaliation for

This alternative is more direct and emphasizes the retaliatory nature of the action.

as retribution for

This option carries a stronger connotation of deserved punishment.

as revenge for

Similar meaning, but focuses specifically on the motive of revenge.

as a reprisal for

This option suggests a more formal or official act of retaliation.

to get even for

This is an informal, idiomatic expression indicating a desire for revenge.

in response to

This is a more neutral way to express a reaction to something, without necessarily implying negativity.

as a consequence of

This alternative highlights the cause-and-effect relationship without emphasizing revenge.

as a result of

Similar to 'as a consequence of', focusing on the outcome.

due to

A simple, direct way to indicate causation.

because of

Synonymous with 'due to', indicating causation.

FAQs

How to use "as payback for" in a sentence?

You can use "as payback for" to indicate that an action is taken in retaliation or revenge for something that was done previously. For example, "He spread rumors about her "as payback for" the way she treated him last year."

What can I say instead of "as payback for"?

You can use alternatives like "in retaliation for", "as retribution for", or "as revenge for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "as payback for" or "in payback for"?

"As payback for" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "In payback for" is less idiomatic and less frequently used.

What's the difference between "as payback for" and "as a result of"?

"As payback for" implies retaliation or revenge, while "as a result of" simply indicates a consequence or outcome without any connotation of revenge.