retributive

[ ri-trib-yuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. characterized by or involving retribution:

   retributive justice.

Other Words From

• re·tribu·tive·ly adverb
• unre·tribu·tive adjective
• unre·tribu·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retributive¹

1670–80; obsolete retribute to make retribution (< Latin retribūtus; retribution ) + -ive

Example Sentences

By saying Blacks can’t be racist, Sheryl Swoopes opened up a lane to the basket for a difficult, yet essential, conversation, and a path to restorative rather than retributive justice.

From Los Angeles Times

Tragedy has long shrouded the sonic lore of the city: whether it was the murder of Tupac, the city’s adopted patron saint, or the allegedly retributive slaying of The Notorious B.I.G. outside of the Petersen Automotive Museum.

From Los Angeles Times

Gaza's Health Ministry says retributive bombings by Israeli fighter jets have killed 1,100 people and wounded more than 5,000.

From Reuters

“We should look to what rabbinic Judaism says about teshuvah, the which means repentance and about how if somebody is doing all that they can do to repent for their crimes, that should be given consideration. … But the reality is we don’t have a system that’s based on restorative justice. We have a system that’s based on retributive vengeance,” Zoosman said.

From Seattle Times

Such an understanding is required for “retributive bang for the buck,” as law professor Christopher Slobogin told me.

From Slate

Related Words

• punitive