comeuppance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'comeuppance' is a correct word and can be used in written English.
It means a deserved punishment or retribution for one's actions. Here is an example of how you can use it in a sentence: "After years of cheating and lying, the corrupt politician finally got his comeuppance when he was arrested and sentenced to prison."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For some this is just a welcome comeuppance for another of that particular breed of multimillionaire who loves to lecture the world on poverty.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, like a true fable for the meme age, In Touch got its comeuppance when it was discovered that its Jenner masterpiece was actually a doctored image of Dynasty actor Stephanie Beacham.

The Guardian - Arts

To ensure an adequate supply of building materials in a region of stoneless wetlands, Peter forbade construction in stone anywhere else in Russia.In the end, Peter got his comeuppance from nature: a flash flood nearly drowned him in 1721 on Nevsky Prospekt, St Petersburg's main street.

The Economist

The VOC went bankrupt.The demise of the VOC was not just a pleasing comeuppance.

The Economist

The actual incidence of minor illness may be higher, as many people afflicted by food-borne disease suffer in the privacy of their homes.In this section Money screams Comebacks and comeuppance Extension deficit disorder No end in sight No mo' po'?

The Economist

He puffed himself up and was overdue for a comeuppance".The third flavour of hahahahah holds some danger for British politics.

The Economist

Construction, though, will not begin for a few years yet; the plans are not completed, and the centre's funding is not in place.In this section Money screams Comebacks and comeuppance Extension deficit disorder No end in sight No mo' po'?

The Economist

The wicked get their comeuppance and the starving their banquets.

The Economist

One recent comparison is with the Asian tigers before their financial comeuppance in 1997-98.

The Economist

The story of the hidden genius giving the experts their comeuppance is just as compelling today as it was when Poe wrote it in 1844 right?Not so fast.

The Economist

Isn't this just a story of comeuppance?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comeuppance" when you want to emphasize that someone's negative experience is deserved due to their previous actions. It adds a sense of justice or karmic retribution to the writing.

Common error

Avoid using "comeuppance" when describing an unfortunate accident or a consequence that isn't directly related to someone's bad behavior. The word implies a sense of deservedness, so misusing it can alter the tone and meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "comeuppance" is as a noun. It refers to a deserved penalty or fate. Ludwig examples show it used as the object of verbs like "get", "receive", or "meet", indicating the experience of this deserved consequence. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness of the term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Encyclopedias

2%

Independent

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comeuppance" is a noun referring to a deserved punishment or negative consequence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. It conveys a sense of justice or retribution when someone experiences a negative outcome as a result of their actions. Related phrases include "just deserts" and "retribution". When using "comeuppance", remember to accurately reflect that the negative outcome is directly related to the person's bad behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just deserts

Focuses on the fairness of the negative outcome.

deserved punishment

Directly indicates that the punishment was warranted.

retribution

Emphasizes the act of revenge or payback.

what was coming to them

An idiomatic expression implying inevitability of the negative consequence.

a taste of their own medicine

Suggests the person experienced something similar to what they inflicted on others.

payback

Highlights the retaliatory nature of the consequence.

what they had coming

Similar to "what was coming to them", indicating an expected negative outcome.

a reckoning

Implies a formal or significant consequence.

karma

Refers to the principle of cause and effect, suggesting the consequence is a result of past actions.

poetic justice

Indicates that the consequence is ironically fitting or appropriate.

FAQs

How can I use "comeuppance" in a sentence?

"Comeuppance" is typically used to describe a negative outcome that someone deserves as a result of their actions. For example, "The corrupt official finally received his "comeuppance" when he was sentenced to prison."

What's the difference between "comeuppance" and "punishment"?

"Punishment" is a general term for any penalty inflicted for wrongdoing. "Comeuppance", on the other hand, specifically implies that the negative outcome is deserved or fitting for the person's past actions, and can be seen as "poetic justice".

What are some synonyms for "comeuppance"?

Synonyms for "comeuppance" include "just deserts", "retribution", "deserved punishment", and "karma". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "comeuppance" a formal or informal word?

"Comeuppance" leans towards being a slightly informal word, though it is acceptable in many contexts, including news and media. In more formal settings, words like "retribution" or "deserved punishment" might be preferred.