as in retaliatory
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Recent Examples of retributive
The incident, as well as post-ceasefire clashes between Israeli forces and Gazans and retributive executions by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, underscores the fragility of Trump's historic deal, which is still only in its initial phase.
—
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
The Austro-Hungarian Empire’s retributive demands against Serbia led Russia, a Serbian ally, to mobilize its forces, which in turn provoked Germany to build up troops against Russia and England, another Russian ally.
—Joel Wuthnow, Foreign Affairs, 12 Sep. 2025
The ongoing feud between President Trump and Bolton, who served as his national security adviser during his first term, has prompted some critics to argue Friday morning’s raid of his home and office was a retributive act.
—Amalia Huot-Marchand, The Hill, 22 Aug. 2025
Russell Vought’s retributive targeting of universities, law firms, and the media.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
The Austro-Hungarian Empire’s retributive demands against Serbia led Russia, a Serbian ally, to mobilize its forces, which in turn provoked Germany to build up troops against Russia and England, another Russian ally.
—Joel Wuthnow, Foreign Affairs, 12 Sep. 2025
The ongoing feud between President Trump and Bolton, who served as his national security adviser during his first term, has prompted some critics to argue Friday morning’s raid of his home and office was a retributive act.
—Amalia Huot-Marchand, The Hill, 22 Aug. 2025
Russell Vought’s retributive targeting of universities, law firms, and the media.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retributive
Adjective
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Feeling neglected by Les, Lindy has struck up a retaliatory affair with his colleague Richie (O-T Fagbenle), who mistakenly submits one of her students’ short stories to The New Yorker as her own.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
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This is the second time the companies have settled allegations for retaliatory discharge in the last two years.—
Laura Turbay,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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DeMar DeRozan had 32, Russell Westbrook had a revengeful 22 and Malik Monk had 26 off the bench.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Brian Heil played Don Jose with angst and ultimately, revengeful rage as Carmen’s spurned lover.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Dec. 2025
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 United States last year also blocked imports from a major South Korean salt farm accused of using slave labor, becoming the first trade partner to take punitive action against a decadeslong problem on salt farms in islands off the country’s southwest coast.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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At the same time, human-rights organizations reported repression inside the El Rodeo I prison, where foreign political detainees launched a protest that authorities allegedly responded to with tear gas and punitive measures.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The colony’s penal function brought in large sums from the British treasury.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 Mar. 2026
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Centuries of penal laws had left Catholics as impoverished tenant farmers, while Protestants – wealthier and less reliant on the crop – had greater resources to survive.—
Paula Kane,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Werner declined, on advice from an attorney, to discuss what happened the day the encampment was dismantled but alleges the disciplinary action is politically motivated.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
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The records include officer personnel and disciplinary files normally kept secret under state law.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retributive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retributive. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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