retributivism
[ ri-trib-yuh-tuh-viz-uhm ]
/ rɪˈtrɪb yə təˌvɪz əm /
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noun
a policy or theory of criminal justice that advocates the punishment of criminals in retribution for the harm they have inflicted.
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Origin of retributivism
First recorded in 1965–70; retributive + -ism
OTHER WORDS FROM retributivism
re·trib·u·tiv·ist, adjectiveWords nearby retributivism
retrench, retrenchment, retrial, retribution, retributive, retributivism, retrieval, retrieve, retriever, retro, retroact
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021