as in revenge
the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury
the neighborhood is being torn apart by an endless cycle of gang violence and retribution
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Recent Examples of retribution
Iran may also pursue other means of retribution, including terrorist attacks on American facilities all over the world.
—
Ilan Goldenberg, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2025
Gaddis’ firing last Aug. 31 has all the earmarks of another act of retribution by an administration known for punishing its critics with brutal precision.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retribution for the attack.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 19 June 2025
Some, the retribution seekers, were eager to dish; those forced to appear via subpoena sat deadpan.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Ilan Goldenberg, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2025
Gaddis’ firing last Aug. 31 has all the earmarks of another act of retribution by an administration known for punishing its critics with brutal precision.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retribution for the attack.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 19 June 2025
Some, the retribution seekers, were eager to dish; those forced to appear via subpoena sat deadpan.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retribution
revenge
Noun
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Failure to see the humanity in a source means students might miss when a law is written to exact revenge, when a diary is embellishing an event, or when a preacher’s sermon has a joke in it.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
15 July 2025
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More recently Fortune reports that ‘revenge quitting’ is ready to take its place, with disgruntled employees venting their frustrations by walking out the door.—
London Business School,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retribution. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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