retribution

[re-truh-byoo-shuhn]

noun

1. requital according to merits or deserts, especially for evil.

   Synonyms: recompense, repayment, retaliation
   Antonyms: pardon

2. something given or inflicted in such requital.

   Synonyms: recompense, repayment, retaliation
   Antonyms: pardon

3. Theology.,  the distribution of rewards and punishments in a future life.

retribution

/ rɪˈtrɪbjʊtɪv, ˌrɛtrɪˈbjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of punishing or taking vengeance for wrongdoing, sin, or injury

2. punishment or vengeance

Other Word Forms

• retributively adverb
• retributive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retribution¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English retribucioun, from Middle French, from Late Latin retribūtiōn- (stem of retribūtiō ) “punishment, reward as result of judgment,” equivalent to Latin retribūt(us) (past participle of retribuere “to restore, give back”; re-, tribute ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of retribution¹

C14: via Old French from Church Latin retribūtiō , from Latin retribuere to repay, from _re- + tribuere to pay; see _tribute

Synonym Study

See revenge.

Example Sentences

“Some say it’s retribution. I say, who cares? You know, don’t lecture me on timing of lawfare. Don’t lecture me on politically-motivated investigations. You guys invented this stuff.”

From Salon

Since then, he had tried to live a mostly quiet life, partly to keep the relatives he’d left behind safe from retribution.

From Salon

Men's groups had wanted to take the app down - and when they found the data breach, they saw it as a chance for retribution.

From BBC

Over the ensuing years, almost 200,000 Afghans would relocate to the US - some under special programmes designed for those most at risk of Taliban retribution.

From BBC

But the reinstatement was short-lived: within months, Silcott alleged that the county had retaliated by stripping away meaningful duties, among other retributions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• comeuppance 
• compensation 
• punishment 
• reckoning 
• redress 
• reprisal 
• retaliation 
• revenge 
• vengeance