retribution
- noun
- /ˌrɛtrɪˈbjuːʃən/
- After the scandal, many feared retribution from those they had wronged.
- fear of retribution
- seek retribution
- divine retribution
And it's one of complete fairness, equal retribution, and short memory.
- And it's one of complete fairness, equal retribution, and short memory.
- It also includes a desire, desire for retribution or setting things right.
- And yes, whatever we have to do to protect scientists from retribution, we should do, but we cannot.
- Like they're coming for their damn retribution.
- Trump ran that he was going to turn the Justice Department into a department of retribution.
- So when it does happen that the narcissist does get nailed with some karmic retribution, consider it your somewhat lucky day.
- But that's where I would seek retribution to to solve the problem.
- Why or doesn't she want retribution for Z?
- Will there be any type of retribution to these Admirals?
- It doesn't have the retribution feel that I was going for.
Examples
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Our generals must be independent advisers, always free to speak without fear of retribution or dismissal.
Academic text (2008) -
Like so many of us now, with death and retribution waiting for us.
Fiction book (1990) -
And if this is Your retribution, it is just.
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There is a way in which retribution and revenge are similar.
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Another man who is not put off by the fear of divine retribution.
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But those fools who do not will suffer retribution.
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But the most common answers are retribution and deterrence.
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But are feelings of rage against a murderer and the wish for retribution never justified?
Academic text (1996) -
The search for true justice does not mean retribution, but the restoration of a natural balance.
Academic text (1991) -
There must be retribution.
Synonyms
An action that makes someone suffer for breaking a rule, like a fine or time in prison
Punishment a court gives to someone found guilty, often prison time
A punishment you get for breaking a rule, law or doing something wrong
Punishing someone in return for a wrong done to you
Harming someone to punish them for something they did
Harming someone because they hurt you
An action that hurts someone in return for an attack
A punishment someone deserves for bad actions
A punishment someone gets because of a wrong they did
Antonyms
How Severe
Surface Forms
Morphology
retribution = retribute (opaque) = re + tribut + ion
For someone who knows the verb 'retribute', adding '-ion' gives the regular noun meaning 'the act or result of retributing'.
Etymology
Retribution comes from the Latin parts re- and tribuere, which mean 'back' and 'to give', and you can see the same root in contribute and tribute. So retribution is like 'giving back' — a punishment given in return for a wrong.