# retribution

/ˌɹɛtɹəbˈjuʃən/ (US) · /ɹˌɛtɹɪbjˈuːʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/retribution
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

punishment that someone deserves for doing something very wrong or harmful.

For teachers: punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act. Often carries a connotation of moral balance or divine justice.

## Examples

- He feared retribution from the people he had cheated.
- The legal system aims to provide justice rather than simple retribution for the victims' families.
- The harsh economic sanctions were viewed by some as a necessary deterrent, while others saw them as a form of collective retribution against the civilian population.

## Usage notes

- Commonly paired with the preposition 'for' to indicate the crime, or 'against' to indicate the target.

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