retribution

ret·ri·bu·tion

noun \ˌre-trə-ˈbyü-shən\

Definition of RETRIBUTION

1

: recompense, reward

2

: the dispensing or receiving of reward or punishment especially in the hereafter

3

: something given or exacted in recompense; especially : punishment

Examples of RETRIBUTION

1. The killer acted without fear of retribution.
2. <the neighborhood is being torn apart by an endless cycle of gang violence and retribution>
3. The elastic-faced Ruck is a real find: his Cameron is a guilt-ridden, father-dominated nerd almost paralyzed with fear of parental retribution. —David Ansen, Newsweek, 16 June 1986
4. The two purposes that sustain the death penalty … in the Court's view are general deterrence and retribution. —Thurgood Marshall, Gregg v. Georgia, 1976
5. “…As for Cordelia, she went insane with remorse and was shut up in a lunatic asylum. I thought that was a poetical retribution for her crime.” —Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, 1908

Origin of RETRIBUTION

Middle English retribucioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin retribution-, retributio, from Latin retribuere to pay back, from re- + tribuere to pay — more at tribute

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RETRIBUTION

Synonyms

payback, reprisal, requital, retaliation, revenge, vengeance

Related Words

counter, counterattack, counteroffensive; castigation, chastisement, correction; desert(s), discipline, nemesis, penalty, punishment, wrath; amends, compensation, indemnification, indemnity, quittance, recompense, recoupment, redress, remuneration, reparation(s), restitution

Near Antonyms

clemency, grace, leniency, lenity, mercy; forgiveness, pardon, remission

Rhymes with RETRIBUTION

absolution, allocution, attribution, comminution, consecution, constitution, contribution, convolution, destitution, dissolution, distribution, elocution, evolution, execution, exsolution, institution, involution, persecution, prosecution, prostitution, resolution, restitution, revolution, Rosicrucian, substitution