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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Recent Examples of retribution
DeSantis said in a recent New York speech that his line-item vetoes are a form of retribution against lawmakers who oppose his agenda.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
On Tuesday, Cornyn became the latest in a line of Republicans who lost their primaries after falling out of favor with a president with little tolerance for dissent and a seemingly insatiable appetite for retribution.
—Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Those employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, described being asked a wide range of questions about government contracts and campaign donations.
—Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Smith’s participation in this crime is inexcusable, but Smith owned up to his crime, told the truth in court despite fear of retribution and threats, and has now accepted responsibility and received this long prison sentence.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
On Tuesday, Cornyn became the latest in a line of Republicans who lost their primaries after falling out of favor with a president with little tolerance for dissent and a seemingly insatiable appetite for retribution.
—Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Those employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, described being asked a wide range of questions about government contracts and campaign donations.
—Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Smith’s participation in this crime is inexcusable, but Smith owned up to his crime, told the truth in court despite fear of retribution and threats, and has now accepted responsibility and received this long prison sentence.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retribution
Noun
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Wong got his replay-review revenge with a two-run single and advanced to second on a throwing error by left fielder Stuart Fairchild, Cleveland’s fourth error of the contest.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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Some members of Assad’s Alawite sect have been subjected to revenge attacks by members of Islamist groups who drove Assad from power.—
Ahmad Mantash,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Oil prices rose around 3% after the Pentagon said the United States bombed Iranian military sites, retaliation for Tehran's shooting down of an American drone.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
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According to the lawsuit, the union’s anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policy prohibits retaliation against employees for lodging a discrimination or harassment complaint or assisting in the investigation of such a complaint.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retribution. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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