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retributive
adjective
re·trib·u·tive
ri-ˈtri-byə-tiv
: of, relating to, or marked by retribution
retributively
adverb
Examples of retributive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By then, President Franklin Pierce and his secretary of war, Jefferson Davis, had already endorsed a retributive expedition of their own against the Lakota.
—Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
The twist of the knife that unleashes Sienna's retributive fury is a revelation that the gruesome pair killed, beheaded, and seemingly stripped the flesh from Jonathan's skull.
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—EW.com, 17 Oct. 2024
Ultimately, the goal is to break free from the same cycle of retributive politics that has dogged Bangladesh for decades.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024
Rather, the Chinese Communist Party is also given credit for its ability to satisfy the public’s strong desire for retributive justice.
—Dan Chen, The Conversation, 24 June 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1619, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near retributive
Cite this Entry
“Retributive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retributive. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
retributive
adjective
re·trib·u·tive
ri-ˈtrib-yət-iv
: of, relating to, or marked by retribution
retributive justice
retributively
adverb
Legal Definition
retributive
adjective
re·trib·u·tive
ri-ˈtri-byə-tiv
: of, relating to, or marked by retribution
retributive justice
retributively
adverb
More from Merriam-Webster on retributive
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for retributive
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