comeuppance

American  

[kuhm-uhp-uhns] / ˌkʌmˈʌp əns /

noun

Informal.

1. deserved reward or just deserts, usually unpleasant.

   He finally got his comeuppance for his misbehavior.

---

comeuppance British  

/ ˌkʌmˈʌpəns /

noun

1. informal just retribution

---

Etymology

Origin of comeuppance

An Americanism first recorded in 1855–60; from the phrase come up (as in judgment for a trial) + -ance

Explanation

Comeuppance describes a fate or punishment that's deserved, like when an arrogant trash-talking quarterback fumbles the ball on the last play and loses the game for his team. Comeuppance began as a term that meant "present oneself for judgment by a tribunal." That was in 1859. You can picture an accused person approaching a judge, or "coming up" to the front of a courtroom. Guilt, innocence — comeuppance can be either, and it can apply to things beyond the justice system. Nowadays you'll most likely hear this word describe something bad. If someone gets a deserved punishment, you'd say "He got his comeuppance."

Example Sentences

In the climactic scene, Griffith’s Tess McGill convincingly demonstrates it was her idea all along while her boss gets her comeuppance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

In “Death of a Unicorn,” the last-act thrills just can’t match the early-going’s billionaire satire that gleefully prescribes a worthier comeuppance.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

And when she got pied in the face at a press conference in Iowa—her instant response: “At least it’s a fruit pie”—a whole bunch of Americans reveled in her comeuppance.

From Slate • Jan. 11, 2025

Every time I've put my pride and my ego into my decision-making, I've had my comeuppance.

From Salon • May 18, 2024

Cicero’s final comeuppance came after the assassination of Julius Caesar.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Related Words

• retribution