as in retaliatory
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Recent Examples of retributive
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
The lawyer articulated a different retributive vision, one that corresponds to, say, dismantling federal agencies via deregulation, or rooting out dark money—not just handcuffing Trump’s enemies for the camera.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as the FBI director.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retributive
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
The lawyer articulated a different retributive vision, one that corresponds to, say, dismantling federal agencies via deregulation, or rooting out dark money—not just handcuffing Trump’s enemies for the camera.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as the FBI director.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retributive
Adjective
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Newsom and other proponents said the retaliatory ballot measure was a way of fighting fire with fire.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024 when Lively sued him for misconduct on the set of It Ends with Us — which Baldoni also directed — and a retaliatory smear campaign.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 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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Under federal law, Hatton said, civil detainees — including undocumented immigrants — must be held under conditions that are not punitive.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Walsh and his leadership team insist their version is voluntary, not punitive.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In many cases, those who have been arrested are, in essence, disappeared into the federal penal system.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
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Hollfelder had been charged with abuse of residents of penal facilities, a felony that can carry a sentence of up to 1½ years in prison and two years on extended supevision.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Both players have been placed on non-disciplinary leave during the 2025 MLB season in relation to a sports betting probe.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
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Barrett also asked if the state took any disciplinary action against the officials who shaved off Landor’s hair.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retributive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retributive. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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