kickback
Under-the-table payment
A kickback is an illicit payment—money returned to someone who facilitated a deal or contract, typically in exchange for favorable treatment: The contractor paid kickbacks to the official who awarded the bid.
The term implies corruption or bribery.
Separately, kickback describes physical recoil, as when a power tool or firearm jerks backward upon use.
Culminating benefit received
- bribeIllicit payment for favor
- graftIllicit political gain
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
- backhanderSecret illicit payment
sweetener · palm-greasing · payola · illicit · shakedown · skimming · envelope · cut
Fraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- extortionObtaining through threats
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
cronyism · racketeering · malfeasance · misappropriation · sleaze · underhanded · shady · corrupt
Comfortable waiting room
- unwindRelease accumulated tension
- chillCold sensation or relaxation
- downtimePeriod of non-operation
- leisureFree time for relaxation
repose · hammock · ease · decompress · siesta · respite · casual · carefree
Reduced price offered
- refundMoney returned after purchase
- cashbackRefund from spending
- incentiveReward encouraging action
- savingsAccumulated money kept
commission · bonus · percentage · cut · return · credit · voucher · markdown
Unintended negative consequences
- reboundReturn after deflection
- jerkAbrupt pulling motion
- springbackElastic return to shape
- snapbackSudden return to position
jolt · thrust · pushback · shock · impact · knockback · punch · force
Punishing a wrongdoer
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
counterattack · backlash · comeuppance · tit-for-tat · reciprocity · counterstroke · redress · requital
payoff
Culminating benefit received
- bribeIllicit payment for favor
- graftIllicit political gain
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
backhander · sweetener · palm-greasing · payola · illicit · shakedown · skimming · envelope · cut · rake-off
embezzlement
Fraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- extortionObtaining through threats
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
nepotism · cronyism · racketeering · malfeasance · misappropriation · sleaze · underhanded · shady · corrupt · scandal
lounge
Comfortable waiting room
leisure · repose · hammock · ease · decompress · siesta · respite · casual · carefree · recreation
discount
Reduced price offered
savings · commission · bonus · percentage · cut · return · credit · voucher · markdown · payback
blowback
Unintended negative consequences
- reboundReturn after deflection
- jerkAbrupt pulling motion
- springbackElastic return to shape
snapback · jolt · thrust · pushback · shock · impact · knockback · punch · force · propulsion
revenge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
vengeance · counterattack · backlash · comeuppance · tit-for-tat · reciprocity · counterstroke · redress · requital · blowback
- financial fraudsecurities fraud, bank fraud, accounting fraud, defalcation, embezzler
- scamsscam, scams, fraud, frauds, swindle
- compound wordsbookmark, breakdown, sunlight, breakup, snowflake
- partiesbirthday party, party, costume party, house party, dinner party
- relaxationrelax, naps, break, rest, calm
- bowlingbowling pin, bowling ball, bowling pins, bowling balls, bowling lane
kickbackfair wage
Adequate compensation for labor
fair dealing · salary · merit pay · whole