retributive

adjective

re·​trib·​u·​tive ri-ˈtri-byə-tiv 

: of, relating to, or marked by retribution

retributive justice

retributively adverb

Examples of retributive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And there’s no question that Israel was pursuing both a political agenda as well as retributive-justice agenda. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026

Russell Vought’s retributive targeting of universities, law firms, and the media. — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025

The interviewees were willing to talk openly and honestly about Trump covered by anonymity, a necessity to protect them from this fiercely thin-skinned and retributive president. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 June 2026

For millennia, punishment was considered morally defensible purely on retributive grounds. — Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for retributive

• distributive
• redistributive

Kids Definition

retributive

adjective

re·​trib·​u·​tive ri-ˈtrib-yət-iv 

: of, relating to, or marked by retribution

retributive justice

retributively adverb

Legal Definition

retributive

adjective

re·​trib·​u·​tive ri-ˈtri-byə-tiv 

: of, relating to, or marked by retribution

retributive justice

retributively adverb