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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The lawsuit details multiple retaliatory actions by and physical threats from coworkers.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Islanders star Mat Barzal then took matters into his own hands and nailed Marchment with his stick in a retaliatory move.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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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
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This latest installment finds the Sully family grieving one of their own when a new threat emerges in the form of the Fire tribe, an antagonistic group of Na’vi volcano-dwellers led by the revengeful Varang (Oona Chaplin in her franchise debut).—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
2 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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Around Austin, bars have stepped up, building nonalcoholic menus that feel intentional, not punitive — and certainly not like a kid’s menu for adults.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Jan. 2026
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The Falcons could restructure Cousins’ deal, but that would only add more possible punitive effects in the future.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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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In an undated statement included in the OIG report, Mallett stood by the department's disciplinary process.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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The incident was first made public last month when Davis released a 14-page disciplinary memo explaining her decision to indefinitely suspend Spees, who had worked for the department for 11 years.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retributive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retributive. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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