retributive
adjective
re·trib·u·tive
ri-ˈtri-byə-tiv 
: of, relating to, or marked by retribution
retributively
adverb
Examples of retributive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The lawyer articulated a different retributive vision, one that corresponds to, say, dismantling federal agencies via deregulation, or rooting out dark money—not just handcuffing Trump’s enemies for the camera.
—
Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as the FBI director.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2025
Repressive crackdowns would follow, triggering a cycle of retributive violence.
—Ned Parker, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2012
This is especially true when the President seems willing to engage in extralegal tactics, such as selective audits, retributive regulation, and harassment campaigns carried out in the parts of the media that are already loyal to him.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retributive
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Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as the FBI director.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2025
Repressive crackdowns would follow, triggering a cycle of retributive violence.
—Ned Parker, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2012
This is especially true when the President seems willing to engage in extralegal tactics, such as selective audits, retributive regulation, and harassment campaigns carried out in the parts of the media that are already loyal to him.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Cite this Entry
“Retributive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retributive. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
retributive
adjective
re·trib·u·tive
ri-ˈtrib-yət-iv
: of, relating to, or marked by retribution
retributive justice
retributively
adverb
Legal Definition
retributive
adjective
re·trib·u·tive
ri-ˈtri-byə-tiv
: of, relating to, or marked by retribution
retributive justice
retributively
adverb
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