as in retaliatory
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Recent Examples of retributive
By then, President Franklin Pierce and his secretary of war, Jefferson Davis, had already endorsed a retributive expedition of their own against the Lakota.
—
Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
The twist of the knife that unleashes Sienna's retributive fury is a revelation that the gruesome pair killed, beheaded, and seemingly stripped the flesh from Jonathan's skull.
Want more movie news?
—EW.com, 17 Oct. 2024
Ultimately, the goal is to break free from the same cycle of retributive politics that has dogged Bangladesh for decades.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024
Rather, the Chinese Communist Party is also given credit for its ability to satisfy the public’s strong desire for retributive justice.
—Dan Chen, The Conversation, 24 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
The twist of the knife that unleashes Sienna's retributive fury is a revelation that the gruesome pair killed, beheaded, and seemingly stripped the flesh from Jonathan's skull.
Want more movie news?
—EW.com, 17 Oct. 2024
Ultimately, the goal is to break free from the same cycle of retributive politics that has dogged Bangladesh for decades.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024
Rather, the Chinese Communist Party is also given credit for its ability to satisfy the public’s strong desire for retributive justice.
—Dan Chen, The Conversation, 24 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for retributive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retributive
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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Wall Street had been on edge, looking for any sign that Trump might shift his approach to his punitive tariffs.—
John Towfighi, David Goldman and Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
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Trump’s latest tariff policy draws a sharp distinction between adversaries and allies, dialing back taxes on imports from Europe and North America while doubling down on punitive measures against Beijing.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Convicted in London for conducting clandestine marriages, Grierson was sentenced to 14 years of penal servitude in the American Colonies.—
Alexandra Cox,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 Mar. 2025
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Now they are imprisoned in El Salvador, according to their families, who have been left in the dark about their fates in a penal system widely condemned for human rights abuses.—
Patrick J. McDonnell,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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No disciplinary actions or hospital privilege revocations are listed for her.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
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Three teachers left the district after the incident was brought to light, but no disciplinary action was taken against them.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retributive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retributive. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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