Dictionary.com
definitions

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.

Nearby words

  1. retrenchment,
  2. retrial,
  3. retribute,
  4. retribution,
  5. retributive,
  6. retrievable,
  7. retrieval,
  8. retrieve,
  9. retriever,
  10. retro

Origin of retributivism

First recorded in 1965–70; retributive + -ism
Related formsre·trib·u·tiv·ist, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019