as in retaliatory
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Recent Examples of retributive
Read a list of Trump’s other retributive actions here.
—
Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration’s retributive style complicates those questions.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as FBI director.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025
Repressive crackdowns would follow, triggering a cycle of retributive violence.
—Ned Parker, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2012
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration’s retributive style complicates those questions.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as FBI director.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025
Repressive crackdowns would follow, triggering a cycle of retributive violence.
—Ned Parker, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2012
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retributive
Adjective
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Trump said his administration may launch a Section 301 investigation against the EU in retaliation, a procedural measure that could lead to retaliatory tariffs.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
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The filmmakers suggested these investments tied Mubi to the ongoing violence in Gaza, where more than 63,000 people have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory military campaign and mission to retrieve the remaining Israeli hostages.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Fans hoping for a revengeful scoring outburst were left wanting a little more, however, as Dončić — a career 28.6 points per game scorer — added only 10 points over the final three quarters.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC News,
26 Feb. 2025
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Eventually, this revengeful streak will result in loneliness and isolation.—
Nicole Froio,
refinery29.com,
29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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As Afghanistan's once-again rulers, the Taliban would refrain from retributory violence and respect women's rights - at least so far as Islam allows.—
BostonGlobe.com,
BostonGlobe.com,
17 Aug. 2021
Adjective
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The effort to deal with the emerging humanitarian crisis, officials say, was complicated by a president who felt a deep responsibility to Israel and its security, and the question of whether or not to openly confront Israel or use punitive measures, like withholding military aid.—
Tom Bowman,
NPR,
28 Aug. 2025
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Through Angela, Fauset crafts an incisive exploration of racial performance, autonomy, and the often punitive structures of desire.—
Glory Edim
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Former warden Randall Hepp and eight other workers at Waupun were charged with misconduct in office and abuse of residents of a penal facility related to the deaths of Maier and another prisoner.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Joshua Anderson, who worked at Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City until February 2024, was indicted in September on charges of bringing contraband into a penal facility, official misconduct and bribery of a public servant.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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States audits, however, have repeatedly shown that CoreCivic facilities in Tennessee have failed to follow federal standards, including closing investigations before receiving rape kit results, failing to send rape kits for testing and not recording disciplinary actions.—
Melissa Brown,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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What the parole board may consider While the Menendez brothers’ parole case may benefit from the support of some corrections officials and a strong track record of rehabilitative work, the board will also review their disciplinary records and personal development while incarcerated.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retributive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retributive. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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