as in retaliatory
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Recent Examples of retributive
The incident, as well as post-ceasefire clashes between Israeli forces and Gazans and retributive executions by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, underscores the fragility of Trump's historic deal, which is still only in its initial phase.
—
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
The Austro-Hungarian Empire’s retributive demands against Serbia led Russia, a Serbian ally, to mobilize its forces, which in turn provoked Germany to build up troops against Russia and England, another Russian ally.
—Joel Wuthnow, Foreign Affairs, 12 Sep. 2025
The ongoing feud between President Trump and Bolton, who served as his national security adviser during his first term, has prompted some critics to argue Friday morning’s raid of his home and office was a retributive act.
—Amalia Huot-Marchand, The Hill, 22 Aug. 2025
Russell Vought’s retributive targeting of universities, law firms, and the media.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
The Austro-Hungarian Empire’s retributive demands against Serbia led Russia, a Serbian ally, to mobilize its forces, which in turn provoked Germany to build up troops against Russia and England, another Russian ally.
—Joel Wuthnow, Foreign Affairs, 12 Sep. 2025
The ongoing feud between President Trump and Bolton, who served as his national security adviser during his first term, has prompted some critics to argue Friday morning’s raid of his home and office was a retributive act.
—Amalia Huot-Marchand, The Hill, 22 Aug. 2025
Russell Vought’s retributive targeting of universities, law firms, and the media.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retributive
Adjective
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And European Union imports of American whiskeys declined after producers sent extra shipments in late 2024 because of the threat of retaliatory tariffs.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Iran embroiled the region.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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DeMar DeRozan had 32, Russell Westbrook had a revengeful 22 and Malik Monk had 26 off the bench.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Brian Heil played Don Jose with angst and ultimately, revengeful rage as Carmen’s spurned lover.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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As Afghanistan's once-again rulers, the Taliban would refrain from retributory violence and respect women's rights - at least so far as Islam allows.—
BostonGlobe.com,
BostonGlobe.com,
17 Aug. 2021
Adjective
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Although detention is meant to be non-punitive, advocates and lawyers have criticized the conditions at these facilities, such as a lack of healthcare, exposure to extreme heat, and unsanitary conditions.—
Ignacio Calderon,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Centuries of penal laws had left Catholics as impoverished tenant farmers, while Protestants – wealthier and less reliant on the crop – had greater resources to survive.—
Paula Kane,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
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But those who do get caught end up experiencing the Gulf’s penal system for at least a while, which is something most tourists and residents would prefer to avoid.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Unexcused absences may lead to disciplinary action such as detention, loss of credit for assignments missed while absent and a class or classes being dropped, according to the district’s code of conduct.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Israeli authorities have not announced disciplinary measures against the officers in that case.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retributive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retributive. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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