retribution
80
7.5
- noun
- /ˌrɛtrɪˈbjuːʃən/
- After the scandal, many feared retribution from those they had wronged.
- fear of retribution
- seek retribution
- divine retribution
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Watch on YouTubeAnd 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
768
7.0
Punishment a court gives to someone found guilty, often prison time
613
1.3
An action that makes someone suffer for breaking a rule, like a fine or time in prison
575
2.5
A punishment you get for breaking a rule, law or doing something wrong
164
6.8
Punishing someone in return for a wrong done to you
112
5.2
Harming someone because they hurt you
91
5.5
Harming someone to punish them for something they did
34
8.3
An action that hurts someone in return for an attack
10
9.1
A punishment someone deserves for bad actions
1
9.9
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.