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retribution
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.

ret·ri·bu·tion

noun \ˌre-trə-ˈbyü-shən\

Definition of RETRIBUTION

: recompense, reward

: the dispensing or receiving of reward or punishment especially in the hereafter

: something given or exacted in recompense; especially : punishment

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Examples of RETRIBUTION

The killer acted without fear of retribution.
<the neighborhood is being torn apart by an endless cycle of gang violence and retribution>
The elastic-faced Ruck is a real find: his Cameron is a guilt-ridden, father-dominated nerd almost paralyzed with fear of parental retribution. —David Ansen, Newsweek, 16 June 1986
The two purposes that sustain the death penalty … in the Court's view are general deterrence and retribution. —Thurgood Marshall, Gregg v. Georgia, 1976
“…As for Cordelia, she went insane with remorse and was shut up in a lunatic asylum. I thought that was a poetical retribution for her crime.” —Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, 1908
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Origin of RETRIBUTION

Middle English retribucioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin retribution-, retributio, from Latin retribuere to pay back, from re- + tribuere to pay — more at tribute

First Known Use: 14th century