clawback

American  

[klaw-bak] / ˈklɔˌbæk /

noun

1. the recovery of previously dispensed or protected money or benefits through a contractual provision or tax law, typically triggered to counter a shortfall in financial performance or offset a liability (often used attributively): Most public companies have clawback provisions, but boards choose not to invoke them.

   One executive’s clawback exceeded fifty million dollars.

   Most public companies have clawback provisions, but boards choose not to invoke them.

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verb phrase

1. to require the return of (money or benefits).

   The government will claw back subsidy payments from households in the higher of the two income brackets.

2. to recover (a previously held asset or status) with substantial effort.

   The reigning champions were unable to claw back a playoff berth after their dismal regular season.

Etymology

Origin of clawback

First recorded in 1950–55; clawback def. 1 derives from the verb phrase claw back (in the sense “to take back by great effort over a period of time”)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clawback

The clawback came ahead of President Trump’s meeting last month with Xi Jinping, his Chinese counterpart.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026

The NUS said "regardless of where the blame lies" it was within the power of the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to stop the "immediate clawback".

From BBC ● Apr. 15, 2026

District Court for Rhode Island, seeking to block the clawback of $11 billion in public health funds.

From Salon ● Apr. 2, 2025

Some of the clawback cases involve allegations of fraud, but not all do.

From New York Times ● Feb. 3, 2024

During a press conference, Walters said the Oklahoma Department of Education is working closely with the federal government to ensure there is no clawback of the bonuses as long as all federal requirements are met.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 31, 2024