retributive
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of retributive
1670–80; obsolete retribute to make retribution (< Latin retribūtus; see retribution) + -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The best hope was their sticking together and fighting the illegal, retributive orders.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 2, 2025
“Some term of imprisonment may serve sentencing’s retributive goals. But only a longer-term period of probation is adequate to ensure that Little will not become an active participant in another riot,” he wrote.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 18, 2023
Wednesday’s brief, according to the Post report, made other charges about the trial, saying the judge’s “closing remarks demonstrated that Mr. Smollett’s sentencing took on a personal retributive tone.”
From Washington Times ● Mar. 2, 2023
The government pointed to the large backlog of criminal investigations and said it wanted to move away from a “lengthy pursuit of retributive justice.”
From Washington Post ● Dec. 18, 2022
I have gone to each officer of that Regiment demanding that they send a retributive expedition, but none evinces the slightest interest in the undertaking.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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