Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Given or inflicted in requital according to merits or deserts: Describes something, especially punishment or justice, that is administered as a deserved consequence for actions, whether good or bad.
   • Of or relating to or having the nature of retribution: Pertaining to the principle or act of punishing or rewarding someone in return for their actions.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The judge believed in retributive justice, where the punishment must fit the crime.
  • Some argue that a retributive system focuses more on deserved punishment than on rehabilitation.

Advanced Usage

• "retributive punishment": Punishment that is specifically intended as payback for a wrongdoing.
  • The concept of retributive punishment is central to many legal systems.
• "retributive action": An act taken to repay or retaliate for a previous act.
  • The attack was seen as a retributive action for the earlier insult.

Variants and Related Words

• Retribution (n): Punishment inflicted as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act.
  • He feared the retribution that would follow his betrayal.
• Retributory (adj): A less common variant with the same meaning as 'retributive'.
  • The retributory measures were harsh but predictable.

Synonyms

• Punitive: Inflicting or intended as punishment.
• Vindicative (archaic): Relating to punishment or retribution.

Related Phrases

• Retributive justice: A system of justice focused on punishment for offenses, often summarized by the principle "an eye for an eye."
  • Debates about retributive justice versus restorative justice are common in philosophy.

Adjective

1. given or inflicted in requital according to merits or deserts
   • retributive justice
2. of or relating to or having the nature of retribution
   • retributive justice demands an eye for an eye