retributivism

[ ri-trib-yuh-tuh-viz-uhm ]

noun
  1. a policy or theory of criminal justice that advocates the punishment of criminals in retribution for the harm they have inflicted.

Origin of retributivism

1
First 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