comeuppance

noun

come·​up·​pance (ˌ)kəm-ˈə-pən(t)s How to pronounce comeuppance (audio)
Synonyms of comeuppance
: a deserved rebuke or penalty : deserts
One of these days, he'll get his comeuppance for treating people so arrogantly.

Synonyms of comeuppance

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Examples of comeuppance in a Sentence

One of these days, he'll get his comeuppance for treating people so arrogantly. as with many action movies, this one ends with a wild chase and an over-the-top fight sequence in which the bad guys finally get their comeuppance
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like James himself, the men are clever and bookish, writing letters or diaries, reading voraciously, and imagining themselves into tales of romance and Biblical comeuppance. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Amid the chatter about comeuppance, the celebrity blogger’s sister said that her brother is a good person who has expressed regret over the tone of some of his early-career scandals. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026 The suit claims Banks was prepared for a fair comeuppance, but ultimately the former supermodel felt hoodwinked. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026 Whatever pleasure could be had in Nate’s comeuppance was undone by his humiliation dragging out for hours before being put out of his misery; Cassie’s next act as a hype-house doyenne is only handwaved at, and any responsibility for Nate’s unpaid debts handwaved entirely. — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for comeuppance

Word History

Etymology

come up + -ance

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of comeuppance was in 1859

Rhymes for comeuppance

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Browse Nearby Words

come upon
comeuppance
come up short
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Cite this Entry

“Comeuppance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comeuppance. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

comeuppance

noun
come·​up·​pance (ˌ)kəm-ˈəp-ən(t)s How to pronounce comeuppance (audio)
: strong criticism that is deserved
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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