as in revenge
the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury
the neighborhood is being torn apart by an endless cycle of gang violence and retribution
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Recent Examples of retribution
During his March service, the first since the start of the war in Iran, Hegseth shocked many with his prayer for violent retribution.
—
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
The move marked a dramatic escalation in an already bitter legal battle, shifting the focus to retribution as Lively attempts to hold her opponents financially accountable.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Ten Republican lawmakers in Kansas have faced retribution from colleagues for rebuffing a redistricting effort there.
—Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
Jared Cassity, the national safety and legislative director for the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers — Transportation Division union, or SMART-TD, said Amtrak conductors and other on-train workers often don’t speak publicly about incidents for fear of retribution from the company.
—Claudia Lauer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
The move marked a dramatic escalation in an already bitter legal battle, shifting the focus to retribution as Lively attempts to hold her opponents financially accountable.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Ten Republican lawmakers in Kansas have faced retribution from colleagues for rebuffing a redistricting effort there.
—Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
Jared Cassity, the national safety and legislative director for the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers — Transportation Division union, or SMART-TD, said Amtrak conductors and other on-train workers often don’t speak publicly about incidents for fear of retribution from the company.
—Claudia Lauer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retribution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retribution
Noun
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Late in the finale, Stiles is in pursuit of Wilder, but Stiles’ teenage son Noah (Cedric Joe) is seeking his own revenge for Wilder killing his grandfather.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
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Adapted from her 2018 play, the story centers on two sisters (Broadway favorite Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on an epic quest for revenge.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
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The spokesperson did not address questions regarding whether the raids were done in retaliation for the group’s monitoring of immigration raids.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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But public opinion has flipped since 2023, when Israel, in retaliation for Hamas’s October 7th attack, launched a military campaign in Gaza.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retribution. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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