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
Iran will almost certainly seek some manner of retribution, perhaps by attacking nearby U.S. bases and potentially killing U.S. soldiers.
—
Ilan Goldenberg, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2025
Another former teacher, who asked for anonymity out of concern of retribution, said that some of her female students and fellow teachers found the channel creepy.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025
This week's selection of new titles features themes of murder, manslaughter, addiction, prison, and retribution.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 13 June 2025
More than a half-dozen environmentalists and waste advocates asked to comment for this story declined to speak on the record, citing concerns including possible retribution from the governor’s office and appearing to look like scolds as negotiations over implementing SB 54 continue.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Ilan Goldenberg, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2025
Another former teacher, who asked for anonymity out of concern of retribution, said that some of her female students and fellow teachers found the channel creepy.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025
This week's selection of new titles features themes of murder, manslaughter, addiction, prison, and retribution.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 13 June 2025
More than a half-dozen environmentalists and waste advocates asked to comment for this story declined to speak on the record, citing concerns including possible retribution from the governor’s office and appearing to look like scolds as negotiations over implementing SB 54 continue.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retribution
revenge
Noun
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Agnes doesn’t process her experience the way a movie character might be expected to — with, say, revenge or sudden catharsis.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
4 July 2025
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Texas 24, Ohio State 21 (Jan. 5, 2009): After Ohio State earned some revenge in 2006 with a 24-7 win that snapped UT's 21-game winning streak, the two schools met for a third time in a four-season span in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retribution. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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