retributivism

[ ri-trib-yuh-tuh-viz-uh m ]
/ rɪˈtrɪb yə təˌvɪz əm /

noun

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

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
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Origin of retributivism

First recorded in 1965–70; retributive + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM retributivism

re·trib·u·tiv·ist, adjective

Words nearby retributivism

retrench, retrenchment, retrial, retribution, retributive, retributivism, retrieval, retrieve, retriever, retro, retro-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020