Retribution is punishment for a crime, especially punishment which is carried out by someone other than the official authorities.
[formal]
He didn't want any further involvement for fear of retribution.
Synonyms: punishment, retaliation, reprisal, redress More Synonyms of retribution
retribution in British English
(ˌrɛtrɪˈbjuːʃən)
noun
1.
the act of punishing or taking vengeance for wrongdoing, sin, or injury
2.
punishment or vengeance
Derived forms
retributive (rɪˈtrɪbjʊtɪv) or rare retributory (reˈtributory)
adjective
retributively (reˈtributively)
adverb
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Church Latin retribūtiō, from Latin retribuere to repay, from re- + tribuere to pay; see tribute
retribution in American English
(ˌrɛtrəˈbjuʃən)
noun
punishment for evil done or reward for good done; requital
Derived forms
retributive (reˈtributive) (rɪˈtrɪbjʊtɪv)
adjective or reˈtribuˌtory (rɪˈtrɪbjʊˌtɔri)
retributively (reˈtributively)
adverb
Word origin
ME retribucioun < OFr retribution < LL(Ec) retributio < L retributus, pp. of retribuere, to repay < re-, back + tribuere, to pay: see tribute
Examples of 'retribution' in a sentence
retribution
The fear of retribution from their leaders if they do not obey must be terrifying.
The Sun (2017)
The answer is that many doomed pilots feared retribution if they lost multimillion-dollar jets.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Workers are unwilling to point out problems, fearing retribution from seniors who do not wish to rock the boat.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is sometimes considered a divine retribution for past sins.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
What about journalists and whistleblowers supposedly quaking in fear over possible retribution?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They rail at it and seek angry retribution.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They are still in fear of retribution.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Only in rare cases did the committee seek retribution.
Jenkins, Roy Truman (1986)
Some heads have admitted that they are afraid to use their powers for fear of retribution.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Most victims do not seek retribution but accountability and punishment.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
His hunger overcame his fear of retribution.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He will not be seeking to exact retribution on errant players with a mistimed tackle.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He cannot be identified for fear of retribution.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
As well as being a deterrent it is retribution for crimes that we as a society find abhorrent.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
People are far less afraid of the fines to be paid for extra births and of official retribution.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It conjures so eloquently the pain, vengeance and retribution that war brings.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At worst, some want retribution more than resolution.
Christianity Today (2000)
With amnesty there is no recrimination, punishment or retribution.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A veiled woman whose brother had been badly injured wailed for divine retribution.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Economic performance should be assessed objectively, without all the talk of sin and retribution so popular at present.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In context the fire may be understood as punishment, retribution on those who take credit that is not their due.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Could this be divine retribution?
The Sun (2015)
Imperial conquest, here, was represented as just retribution for egregious sin.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
It isn't some kind of religion in which you have divine retribution, with bankers now on the receiving end.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But this would give them the right to say what the book was about: presumably sin and retribution, which sounded a bit obvious.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
Quotations
Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He allHenry Wadsworth LongfellowRetribution
In other languages
retribution
British English: retribution NOUN
Retribution is punishment for a crime, especially punishment which is carried out by someone other than the official authorities.
He didn't want any further involvement for fear of retribution.
American English: retribution
Brazilian Portuguese: revide
Chinese: 惩罚
European Spanish: represalia
French: châtiment
German: Vergeltung
Italian: castigo
Japanese: 報復
Korean: 징벌
European Portuguese: revide
Latin American Spanish: represalia
(noun)
Definition
punishment or vengeance for evil deeds
He decided to get his retribution in first.
Synonyms
punishment
The man is guilty and he deserves punishment.
retaliation
They believe the attack was in retaliation for his death.
reprisal
fear of reprisal or ostracism
redress
a legal battle to seek some redress from the government
justice
reward
They last night offered a £10,000 reward.
reckoning
She knew the truce would not last. There would be a reckoning.
compensation
He received one year's salary as compensation for loss of office.
satisfaction
Buyers have the right to go to court and demand satisfaction.
revenge
in revenge for his betrayal
repayment
as repayment for kindnesses from old friends
vengeance
She wanted vengeance for the humiliation she had experienced.
Nemesis
So far they had escaped their nemesis, but that afternoon it was to fall heavily on them.
recompense
He demands no financial recompense for his troubles.
an eye for an eye
Their philosophy was an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
requital
Quotation
Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He all [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – Retribution]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of an eye for an eye
Their philosophy was an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
Synonyms
retaliation,
justice,
revenge,
vengeance,
reprisal,
retribution,
requital,
lex talionis
in the sense of compensation
Definition
payment made as reparation for loss or injury
He received one year's salary as compensation for loss of office.
Synonyms
reparation,
damages,
payment,
recompense,
indemnification,
offset,
remuneration,
indemnity,
restitution,
reimbursement,
meed (archaic),
requital
in the sense of justice
Synonyms
amends,
penalty,
compensation,
correction,
redress,
reparation,
recompense
Nearby words of
retribution
retreat
retrench
retrenchment
retribution
retrieve
retro
retrograde
Synonyms of 'retribution'
retribution
Explore 'retribution' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of Nemesis
Definition
a means of retribution or vengeance
So far they had escaped their nemesis, but that afternoon it was to fall heavily on them.
Synonyms
retribution,
fate,
destruction,
destiny,
vengeance
in the sense of reckoning
Definition
retribution for one's actions
She knew the truce would not last. There would be a reckoning.
Synonyms
retribution,
punishment,
revenge,
repayment,
retaliation,
vengeance,
reprisal,
compensation
in the sense of recompense
Definition
compensation for loss or injury
He demands no financial recompense for his troubles.
Synonyms
compensation,
pay,
payment,
satisfaction,
amends,
repayment,
remuneration,
reparation,
indemnity,
restitution,
damages,
emolument,
indemnification,
requital
in the sense of redress
Definition
compensation or reparation
a legal battle to seek some redress from the government
Synonyms
amends,
payment,
compensation,
reparation,
restitution,
atonement,
recompense,
requital,
quittance
in the sense of repayment
as repayment for kindnesses from old friends
Synonyms
reward,
compensation,
reparation,
recompense
in the sense of reprisal
Definition
an act of taking revenge
fear of reprisal or ostracism
Synonyms
retaliation,
revenge,
vengeance,
retribution,
an eye for an eye,
counterstroke,
requital
in the sense of retaliation
They believe the attack was in retaliation for his death.
Synonyms
revenge,
repayment,
vengeance,
reprisal,
retribution,
tit for tat,
an eye for an eye,
reciprocation,
counterstroke,
requital,
counterblow,
a taste of your own medicine
in the sense of revenge
Definition
vengeance for wrongs or injury received
in revenge for his betrayal
Synonyms
retaliation,
satisfaction,
vengeance,
reprisal,
retribution,
vindictiveness,
an eye for an eye,
requital
in the sense of reward
Definition
a sum of money offered for finding a criminal or missing property
They last night offered a £10,000 reward.
Synonyms
payment,
return,
benefit,
profit,
gain,
prize,
wages,
honour,
compensation,
bonus,
premium,
merit,
repayment,
bounty,
remuneration,
recompense,
meed (archaic),
requital
in the sense of satisfaction
Definition
compensation or an apology for a wrong done
Buyers have the right to go to court and demand satisfaction.