Retribution definition Meaning and Definition
Retrribution definition
Pronunciation
/rɪˈtrɪbjuːʃən/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
Retrribution definition is the act or process of giving or receiving fair compensation or punishment for harm, wrong, or injury done to oneself or others.
Examples
1. “She sought retribution for the harm caused to her family during the war.”
2. “The company faced retribution for its environmental violations, paying a substantial fine and implementing new sustainability measures.”
Synonyms
1. Revenge
2. Recompense
3. Retaliation
Antonyms
1. Forgiveness
2. Mercy
3. Indemnity
Etymology
The word retribution comes from the Latin “retributio,” which is derived from “re-” (back) and “tributio” (payment or compensation). The term has been used in English since the 14th century to describe the concept of giving or receiving fair compensation for harm or injury.
Usage Notes
The term retribution can be used in various contexts, including personal, social, or political spheres. In a personal context, it refers to an individual’s desire for justice or revenge for harm or wrong done to them. In a social context, retribution can involve community punishment or restorative justice initiatives. Politically, retribution often relates to policies or actions taken by governments or organizations to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Cultural References
The concept of retribution is deeply rooted in many cultures and historical contexts. For example, the biblical concept of an “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” is often seen as a form of retribution. In some indigenous cultures, retribution is linked to ancestral practices of balance and restoration.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some idiomatic expressions or phrases related to retribution include “blood on their hands,” “feeling entitled to justice,” “vengeance is sweet,” or “righting past wrongs.”
Collocations
Retrribution is often used in combination with other words or phrases such as: seeking justice, revenge for wrongdoing, payback for injuries, exacting compensation, paying for wrongdoing, bringing the perpetrators to account.
Frequency of Use
Retrribution is used fairly commonly in both written and spoken English, often in the context of politics, crime, and social issues.
Common Misspellings
The word retribution can sometimes be misspelled as retribuation or returition, reflecting possible etymological and semantic links with retribution but actually a form of alteration by another pattern from root verb transpiration ‘I exhale an inner portion’.
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