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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

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.