retribution

noun

ret·​ri·​bu·​tion ˌre-trə-ˈbyü-shən How to pronounce retribution (audio)
1
2
: the dispensing or receiving of reward or punishment especially in the hereafter
3
: something given or exacted in recompense
especially : punishment

Did you know?

With its prefix re-, meaning "back", retribution means literally "payback". And indeed we usually use it when talking about personal revenge, whether it's retribution for an insult in a high-school corridor or retribution for a guerrilla attack on a government building. But retribution isn't always so personal: God takes "divine retribution" on humans several times in the Old Testament, especially in the great Flood that wipes out almost the entire human race. And retribution for criminal acts, usually in the form of a prison sentence, is taken by the state, not the victims.

Examples of retribution in a Sentence

The elastic-faced Ruck is a real find: his Cameron is a guilt-ridden, father-dominated nerd almost paralyzed with fear of parental retribution. David Ansen, Newsweek, 16 June 1986
The two purposes that sustain the death penalty … in the Court's view are general deterrence and retribution. Thurgood Marshall, Gregg v. Georgia, 1976
" … As for Cordelia, she went insane with remorse and was shut up in a lunatic asylum. I thought that was a poetical retribution for her crime." Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, 1908
The killer acted without fear of retribution. the neighborhood is being torn apart by an endless cycle of gang violence and retribution
Recent Examples on the Web For the first time since 2016, there is a new protagonist in American politics: not the man seeking to take back the White House as retribution but its current, outwardly placid occupant. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024 This romantic tale, replete with magic and monsters, love and liquor, and retribution and redemption is a voyage not to be missed. David Catlin, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024 Raymond, who worked with Johnston and is now assistant chief counsel in the agency’s policy branch, said that her friend’s idea of justice was focused on repair, not retribution. Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 This means creating a culture where people can experiment, share ideas, and learn from failures without fear of retribution. London Business School, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 All four sources spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2024 The eyewitness, who has been inside the hospital, asked not to be named for fear of retribution. Kareem Khadder, CNN, 19 Feb. 2024 Tesla employees who asked typically were given access to the new software, according to a former company employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity Wednesday for fear of retribution. Rachel Lerman, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Alfredson conjures an icy, sinister tone in this budding friendship based on retribution, and its combination of vampiric and coming-of-age aesthetics allows for a haunting and emotional approach to a familiar scenario. Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retribution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English retribucioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin retribution-, retributio, from Latin retribuere to pay back, from re- + tribuere to pay — more at tribute

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retribution was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near retribution

Cite this Entry

“Retribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retribution. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

retribution

noun
ret·​ri·​bu·​tion ˌre-trə-ˈbyü-shən How to pronounce retribution (audio)
: something given in payment for a wrong : punishment

Legal Definition

retribution

noun
ret·​ri·​bu·​tion ˌre-trə-ˈbyü-shən How to pronounce retribution (audio)
: punishment imposed (as on a convicted criminal) for purposes of repayment or revenge for the wrong committed

More from Merriam-Webster on retribution

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