as in retaliatory
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Recent Examples of retributive
Read a list of Trump’s other retributive actions here.
—
Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration’s retributive style complicates those questions.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as FBI director.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025
Repressive crackdowns would follow, triggering a cycle of retributive violence.
—Ned Parker, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2012
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration’s retributive style complicates those questions.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as FBI director.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025
Repressive crackdowns would follow, triggering a cycle of retributive violence.
—Ned Parker, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2012
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retributive
Adjective
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After Israel killed Iranian military officials in an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus in April 2024, Iran launched a retaliatory attack involving more than 300 drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, many of which flew over Jordanian territory.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
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Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants beyond saying that women and children make up around half the dead.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Fans hoping for a revengeful scoring outburst were left wanting a little more, however, as Dončić — a career 28.6 points per game scorer — added only 10 points over the final three quarters.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC News,
26 Feb. 2025
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Eventually, this revengeful streak will result in loneliness and isolation.—
Nicole Froio,
refinery29.com,
29 Oct. 2024
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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The problem last season was many teams still opted to kick the ball in the end zone because the touchback wasn't punitive enough.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Relief from punitive tax rules could fuel profitability, but only for those ready to meet the federal government’s new demands.—
Robert Hoban,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Chinese are also concentrating on plug-in hybrids, which don’t carry the same penal tariffs as pure EVs, and which may have a long-term future if the EU decides to dilute its carbon dioxide emissions regime.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Sara has additionally been charged with possession of paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia and the introduction of contraband into a penal facility, police said.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This political distribution is reflected in demographic and disciplinary differences.—
Matthew Mayhew,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Aside from graffiti, some individuals have also made social media posts celebrating Kirk's demise, triggering a backlash and sometimes disciplinary action from employers.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retributive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retributive. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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