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.

Her plaintiveness seemed to wrap you round, and damp you, and chill you to the bone, like a Scotch mist, and when used retributively was felt—by her husband, at all events—to be very terrible.

From That Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 3 by Trollope, Frances Eleanor

But it does not punish sin retributively as sin, nor even medicinally.

From Moral Philosophy by Rickaby, Joseph , S. J.

And presently he was reading aloud from the letter in the "Post," reading retributively; one swingeing phrase after another.

From V. V.'s Eyes by Harrison, Henry Sydnor