retribution

[re-truh-byoo-shuhn]

noun

1. requital according to merits or deserts, especially for evil.

   Synonyms: recompense, repayment, retaliation
   Antonyms: pardon

2. something given or inflicted in such requital.

   Synonyms: recompense, repayment, retaliation
   Antonyms: pardon

3. Theology.,  the distribution of rewards and punishments in a future life.

retribution

/ rɪˈtrɪbjʊtɪv, ˌrɛtrɪˈbjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of punishing or taking vengeance for wrongdoing, sin, or injury

2. punishment or vengeance

Other Word Forms

• retributively adverb
• retributive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retribution¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English retribucioun, from Middle French, from Late Latin retribūtiōn- (stem of retribūtiō ) “punishment, reward as result of judgment,” equivalent to Latin retribūt(us) (past participle of retribuere “to restore, give back”; re-, tribute ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of retribution¹

C14: via Old French from Church Latin retribūtiō , from Latin retribuere to repay, from _re- + tribuere to pay; see _tribute

Synonym Study

See revenge.

Example Sentences

Abbe Lowell, a lawyer for James, has called the mortgage-fraud investigation political retribution.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"These charges are baseless, and the president's own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost."

Read more on BBC

"The president's own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution," she said.

Read more on Barron's

Frontline locations are particularly lawless places, where retribution from Russian forces can be swift and brutal.

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The group includes about 30 employees, according to one member who asked not to be identified out of fear of retribution.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• comeuppance 
• compensation 
• punishment 
• reckoning 
• redress 
• reprisal 
• retaliation 
• revenge 
• vengeance