Retribution

Quick meaning: Retribution is a noun meaning Punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance.

Meaning

Punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance.

Example Sentences

Whereas retribution focuses on the offender's wrong, retaliation focuses on the impulse of the victim (or of those who sympathize with him) to strike back at the offender.

1. Revenge is for an injury; retribution is for a wrong. 2. Retribution sets an internal limit to the amount of the punishment according to the seriousness of the wrong; revenge need not. 3. Revenge is personal; the agent of retribution need have no special or personal tie to the victim of the wrong for which he exacts retribution. 4. Revenge involves a particular emotional tone, pleasure in the suffering of another, while retribution need involve no emotional tone.

Word Forms

• retributions

Synonyms for retribution

Depending on context, synonyms include vengeance.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include vengeance, revenge, retaliation, retaliatory, reprisal, vindictiveness.

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