retribution

American  

[re-truh-byoo-shuhn] / ˌrɛ trəˈbyu ʃən /

noun

1. requital according to merits or deserts, especially for evil.

   Synonyms:

   recompense, repayment, retaliation

   Antonyms:

   pardon

2. something given or inflicted in such requital.

   Synonyms:

   recompense, repayment, retaliation

   Antonyms:

   pardon

3. Theology. the distribution of rewards and punishments in a future life.

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retribution British  

/ rɪˈtrɪbjʊtɪv, ˌrɛtrɪˈbjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of punishing or taking vengeance for wrongdoing, sin, or injury

2. punishment or vengeance

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Related Words

See revenge.

Other Word Forms

• retributive adjective
• retributively adverb

Etymology

Origin of retribution

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English retribucioun, from Middle French, from Late Latin retribūtiōn- (stem of retribūtiō ) “punishment, reward as result of judgment,” equivalent to Latin retribūt(us) (past participle of retribuere “to restore, give back”; re-, tribute ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

But, more often than not, retribution isn’t an option.

From Salon

“I think they are very afraid of retribution.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The designation followed a dispute over Anthropic’s AI tool limitations for military use; Anthropic argued retribution.

From The Wall Street Journal

SAN FRANCISCO—A federal judge on Tuesday said the U.S. government appeared to be punishing Anthropic by banning the artificial-intelligence company—in retribution for bringing into the public view its contracting dispute with the Pentagon.

From The Wall Street Journal

Seven team members initially sought humanitarian assistance in Australia, fearing retribution for not singing the national anthem.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• comeuppance
• compensation
• punishment
• reckoning
• redress
• reprisal
• retaliation
• revenge
• vengeance