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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retribution
The story will alight on themes central to Park’s oeuvre of vengeance, retribution, the consequences of violence and the power of memory and family, but this time in the American West.
—
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
Politico went through 45 years of FEMA records and found that no other president, going back as far as Reagan, has denied a majority of requests from any states, let alone singled out states for political retribution using FEMA dollars.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
This story conveys that Hoja can be willing to exact social retribution at a great price.
—Perin Gürel, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Five hours after the release of the video, which, because of the crude grave act, police consider among the most incendiary distrack recordings ever released by a Fort Worth gang member, Jaquan Wright sought retribution at a Crip stronghold.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
Politico went through 45 years of FEMA records and found that no other president, going back as far as Reagan, has denied a majority of requests from any states, let alone singled out states for political retribution using FEMA dollars.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
This story conveys that Hoja can be willing to exact social retribution at a great price.
—Perin Gürel, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Five hours after the release of the video, which, because of the crude grave act, police consider among the most incendiary distrack recordings ever released by a Fort Worth gang member, Jaquan Wright sought retribution at a Crip stronghold.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retribution
Noun
-
Late in the finale, Stiles is in pursuit of Wilder, but Stiles’ teenage son Noah (Cedric Joe) is seeking his own revenge for Wilder killing his grandfather.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
Adapted from her 2018 play, the story centers on two sisters (Broadway favorite Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on an epic quest for revenge.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Most of their clients were too scared to speak publicly, citing fear of retaliation.—
Shoshana Walter,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
-
An independent special prosecutor would be no more shielded from retaliation than the state's attorney.—
Lauren Victory,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retribution. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
