Synonyms of retribution

retribution

noun

ˌre-trə-ˈbyü-shən 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• revenge
• retaliation
• vengeance
• punishment
• reprisal
• payback
• compensation
• counterattack
• requital
• chastisement
• castigation
• wrath
• counteroffensive
• correction
• counter
• redress
• penalty
• restitution
• amends
• indemnity
• reparation(s)
• recompense
• indemnification
• discipline
• desert(s)
• recoupment
• nemesis
• remuneration
• quittance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mercy
• grace
• leniency
• clemency
• forgiveness
• pardon
• remission
• lenity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retribution

Members of white government clubs hassled their white neighbors into political lockstep and advertised physical and financial retribution for any Black person who dared to vote. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026

The president has spent much of the year waging a war of retribution against Republicans who have crossed him. — Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

That means that in teams where people felt safe to share ideas and make mistakes, with little fear of ridicule or retribution, there was significantly higher productivity, a lower rate of turnover, more innovation and much more engagement. — Leeza Carlone Steindorf, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin turned a downtown Sacramento street corner bustling with nightlife into a battleground in a gang shootout fueled by rivalry and retribution, a Sacramento County prosecutor told jurors Tuesday. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026