Retribution

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌɹɛtrɪˈbjuʃɒn/

Origin

Latin, from retribuere ("assign again").

Full definition of retribution

Noun

1. Punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance.
• 1983, Richard A. Posner, The economics of justice, 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.
• 1999, Barbara Hanawalt, Medieval crime and social control, pg. 73
2. 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.

Synonyms

Hypernyms

• punishment

Derived terms

• retributionist
• retributive