Retribution

Definitions

Punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance.

countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“Whereas retribution focuses on the offender's wrong, retaliation focuses on the impulse of the victim (or of those who sympathize with him) to strike⟳ back at the offender.”

“1. Revenge is for an injury; retribution is for a wrong. 2. Retribution sets an internal limit⟳ to the amount of the punishment according to the seriousness of the wrong; revenge need⟳ not. 3. Revenge is personal; the agent of retribution need⟳ have⟳ no special or personal tie to the victim of the wrong for which he exacts retribution. 4. Revenge involves a particular emotional tone, pleasure in the suffering of another, while retribution need⟳ involve⟳ no emotional tone.”

CEFR level