comeuppance

noun

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

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.
But there’s no schadenfreude watching her squeeze into a middle seat, no glee in her comeuppance. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 Most movies would’ve saved their villain’s comeuppance for last and made a meal out of it. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2026 Channeling Abbie Hoffman, Tolentino encourages people to steal from her own employer, The New Yorker, but does not explain which high crimes David Remnick has committed to earn this comeuppance. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026 The cheat gets his comeuppance. Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comeuppance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comeuppance. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

comeuppance

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