retributivism
[ ri-trib-yuh-tuh-viz-uhm ]
noun
a policy or theory of criminal justice that advocates the punishment of criminals in retribution for the harm they have inflicted.
Origin of retributivism
1First recorded in 1965–70; retributive + -ism
Other words from retributivism
- re·trib·u·tiv·ist, adjective
Words Nearby retributivism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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