retribution

UK: /ˌrɛtrɪˈbjuːʃ^ən/

US: /ˌrɛtrəˈbjuʃən/

US: (re′trə byo̅o̅′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ret•ri•bu•tion /ˌrɛtrəˈbyuʃən/   n. 

[uncountable]
1. punishment for some evil:
   the sword of retribution.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ret•ri•bu•tion  (re′trə byo̅o̅′shən), n. 

1. requital according to merits or deserts, esp. for evil.
2. something given or inflicted in such requital.
3. Religion [Theol.] the distribution of rewards and punishments in a future life.

• Late Latin retribūtiōn- (stem of retribūtiō) punishment, reward as result of judgment, equivalent. to Latin retribūt(us) (past participle of retribuere to restore, give back; see re-, tribute) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle French
• Middle English retribucioun 1350–1400

Synonyms

• 1, 2. retaliation, repayment, recompense. See revenge. 

Antonyms

• 1, 2. pardon.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

retribution / ˌrɛtrɪˈbjuːʃən/ noun

1. the act of punishing or taking vengeance for wrongdoing, sin, or injury
2. punishment or vengeance

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Church Latin retribūtiō, from Latin retribuere to repay, from re- + tribuere to pay; see tribute

retributive / rɪˈtrɪbjʊtɪv/, reˈtributory adjective

reˈtributively adverb