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 has vowed retribution for the death of Khamenei and other top officials.
—
Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2026
And even if someone within the system does speak up, the individual is guaranteed to face retribution.
—Sam Meas, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
In Tehran on Sunday, the streets were largely deserted as people sheltered during heavy airstrikes, witnesses told The Associated Press, speaking anonymously for fear of retribution.
—Brian Melley, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
But there were also reports of protests in some parts of Iran on Sunday denouncing the war and calling for retribution.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2026
And even if someone within the system does speak up, the individual is guaranteed to face retribution.
—Sam Meas, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
In Tehran on Sunday, the streets were largely deserted as people sheltered during heavy airstrikes, witnesses told The Associated Press, speaking anonymously for fear of retribution.
—Brian Melley, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
But there were also reports of protests in some parts of Iran on Sunday denouncing the war and calling for retribution.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retribution
Noun
-
Seeking justice is not about revenge.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Iranian officials continued to pledge revenge for the attacks across their country and especially for the killing of Khamenei on Saturday.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Oseguera Cervantes’ killing set off retaliation by the cartel in numerous states.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
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Sunday's unrest came amid ongoing cross-border fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which began Thursday after Afghanistan launched attacks in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes the previous Sunday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retribution. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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