RETRIBUTION definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary (2025)

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retribution retribution in British English retribution in American English retribution in American English Examples of 'retribution' in a sentence Quotations COBUILD Collocations

COBUILD frequency band

retribution

(retrɪbjuːʃən )

uncountable noun

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

the act of punishing or taking vengeance for wrongdoing, sin, or injury

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

COBUILD frequency band

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

COBUILD frequency band

retribution in American English

(ˌretrəˈbjuːʃən)

noun

requital according to merits or deserts, esp. for evil

something given or inflicted in such requital

3.Theology

the distribution of rewards and punishments in a future life

SYNONYMS 1, 2. retaliation, repayment, recompense. See revenge.ANTONYMS 1, 2. pardon.

Word origin

[1350–1400; ME retribucioun ‹ MF ‹ LL retribūtiōn- (s. of retribūtiō) punishment, reward as result of judgment, equiv. to L retribūt(us) (ptp. of retribuere to restore, give back; see re-, tribute) + -iōn- -ion]

Examples of 'retribution' in a sentence

retribution

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He denied his son was in a gang and urged others not to seek retribution.

Times, Sunday Times (2021)

The family's retribution followed soon.

Times, Sunday Times (2022)

What about journalists and whistleblowers supposedly quaking in fear over possible retribution?

Times, Sunday Times (2016)

Only in rare cases did the committee seek retribution.

Jenkins, Roy Truman (1986)

Most victims do not seek retribution but accountability and punishment.

Times, Sunday Times (2006)

He will not be seeking to exact retribution on errant players with a mistimed tackle.

Times, Sunday Times (2006)

As well as being a deterrent it is retribution for crimes that we as a society find abhorrent.

Times, Sunday Times (2011)

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)

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

COBUILD Collocations

retribution

seek retribution

violent retribution