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Comeuppance: meaning, definitions and examples

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comeuppance

 

[ ˌkʌmˈʌpəns ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

getting what one deserves

Comeuppance is a punishment or fate that someone deserves, typically as a result of their bad actions or behavior. It is often seen as a form of poetic justice, where the punishment fits the crime. Comeuppance can be a humbling experience that teaches a lesson and leads to personal growth.

Synonyms

just deserts, payback, retribution.

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Word Description / Examples
comeuppance

This word is used when someone receives a deserved punishment or negative outcome as a result of their actions. It is often used in everyday conversation or literature to describe a situation where justice has been served.

  • After years of cheating people, he finally got his comeuppance when he was caught and sent to jail
retribution

Primarily used in formal contexts or discussions about justice, punishment, and moral philosophy. It signifies a punitive action as a form of moral recompense for wrongdoing.

  • The court's decision was seen as retribution for his involvement in the scandal
payback

Used in casual or colloquial conversations, this word refers to retaliation or revenge. It often carries a slightly negative connotation as it implies that someone is taking pleasure in evening the score.

  • She took payback on her brother for the prank he played on her by hiding his phone
just deserts

This phrase is used in formal or semi-formal settings to describe a fair and deserved consequence for someone's actions. It implies a moral judgment and is commonly seen in written forms such as literature or articles.

  • In the end, the corrupt politician faced his just deserts and was removed from office

Examples of usage

  • He thought he could cheat his way to the top, but in the end, he got his comeuppance.
  • After years of mistreating others, she finally received her comeuppance when her lies were exposed.
  • The villain in the story met his comeuppance in a satisfyingly dramatic way.
  • The concept of comeuppance is often used in literature to highlight the theme of morality and consequences.
  • Even in real life, people eventually face their comeuppance for their wrongdoings.

Translations

Translations of the word "comeuppance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 castigo merecido

🇮🇳 उचित दंड

🇩🇪 gerechte Strafe

🇮🇩 hukuman yang pantas

🇺🇦 заслужене покарання

🇵🇱 zasłużona kara

🇯🇵 因果応報

🇫🇷 punition méritée

🇪🇸 castigo merecido

🇹🇷 hak edilen ceza

🇰🇷 응당한 벌

🇸🇦 عقاب مستحق

🇨🇿 zasloužený trest

🇸🇰 zaslúžený trest

🇨🇳 应得的惩罚

🇸🇮 zaslužena kazen

🇮🇸 verðskulduð refsing

🇰🇿 лайықты жаза

🇬🇪 დამსახურებული სასჯელი

🇦🇿 layiqli cəza

🇲🇽 castigo merecido

Etymology

The word 'comeuppance' originated in the late 19th century and is believed to be a blend of 'come up,' meaning to ascend or rise, and 'ance,' denoting the result of an action. The term gained popularity in the United States and is commonly used in discussions about justice and accountability.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,398, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.