as in revenge
the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury
the neighborhood is being torn apart by an endless cycle of gang violence and retribution
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retribution
What happens to her — a deadly warning from the man’s criminal boss father — sets in motion two generations of retribution masterminded by one of the cruelest characters Burton has given us.
—
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
And then there’s the question of Iran’s desire for retribution.
—Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
The Iranian regime had vowed retribution after Khamenei’s death.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Many members of the public view predator catchers as heroes for exposing people who might not otherwise face retribution.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
And then there’s the question of Iran’s desire for retribution.
—Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
The Iranian regime had vowed retribution after Khamenei’s death.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Many members of the public view predator catchers as heroes for exposing people who might not otherwise face retribution.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retribution
Noun
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Hezbollah denied the connection when speaking to the New York Times but said Ghazali’s motive for the synagogue attack was revenge for his family.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Mar. 2026
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According to the Office of the State's Attorney for Howard County, Wyketa Burgess, 40, conspired with her co-defendant, Dieneba Traore, to seek revenge against perpetrators who robbed Traore's son.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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All three lawsuits allege retaliation against town officials.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2026
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The victims asked not to be identified out of fear of retaliation.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retribution. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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