Did you know that each word you learn gets placed in long-term memory? Learning the word “retribution” is more than understanding its definition. To stick to your memory, you need to understand the retribution definition, meaning, and usage.
The word “retribution” is a noun meaning “punishment inflicted by others as vengeance for a wrong act.” Retribution doesn’t have to be ordered by the law. It also means an individual or a crowd seeking justice for a wrong they experienced. Use the word when someone wrongs you and you need justice.
But there is more usage of the word “retribution” beyond “vengeance” and “justice.” That is why we want to look more at the meaning, history, and sentences with the word “retribution.” Let’s now dive into all the information you need to know about the word.
What Is The Definition Of Retribution?
The formal definition of the word “retribution” is “penalization for doing something wrong.” An example is “divine retribution.” The word means punishment from God. The informal meaning of “retribution” is the act of taking revenge. An example is, “If you pull a prank on Mary, expect retribution.”
The word “retribution” can also be defined as “the act of harming someone for the wrongdoing that they did, especially in the next life.” or “act of correcting for wrongdoing.”
Understanding the word will help improve your vocabulary and language. Note that “retribution” has a formal and informal definition, as mentioned above. Therefore, it is essential to learn about each definition and use it in a sentence or conversation correctly. That will help you use the word in your conversations and speeches without worrying about making mistakes.
Retribution has some family words you should know about. These words relate to “retribution,” and understanding their definition and how to use them in a sentence will make you better understand everything around retribution definition. They include:
- Retribute: The word “retribute” is a verb, and it means “payback,” “give as return,” “to requite.”
- Retributive: The word “retributive” is an adjective that means “Seeking justice.”
- Retributory: “The word “retributory” is an adjective that means “inflicting punishment” or “punitory.”
- Retributively: The word “retributory” is an adverb that means “relating to” “intended to be” or severe punishment.”
What Is The Meaning Of Retribution?
What does retribution mean? Most often, the word “retribution” is also used to mean “giving punishment that is deserving.” You can also say a suitable repayment for one’s action or requital. When someone has committed an offensive act and is punished, the word is used. The word can also mean “re-compensate” or “reward.”
Retribution Meaning In Various Subjects
Simply learning the definition and meaning could result in you having blank moments where “retribution” disappears from your memory even though you thought you had memorized it. It can be frustrating when giving a speech. That said, let’s look at the word’s meaning based on various applications.
- Definition of “retribution” according to criminal law: It is the response of the criminal behavior that focuses on punishing the lawbreaker and compensating the victim.
- Definition of “retribution” according to sociology: It is the punishment by which the society implicates the offender; suffers almost to the same level of the suffering caused by their crime.
- Definition of “retribution” according to religion: It is the supernatural punishment of a person or people by a deity in response to some action.
How Is Retribution Used In A Sentence?
The word “retribution” in a sentence is mostly used as a noun.
But that is not enough to help you understand the best way to use the word in your sentence, whether you are presenting a written or oral speech. The best way to understand the word is by looking at examples of sentences with “retribution.”
Retribution Uses In A Sentence
Retribution applies when one’s actions against another person are equal to the damage done. Here are some sentences:
- Summer is coming, and I will not be able to go into the water with my friends because of their betrayal last Spring break. They betrayed my trust, and they will receive retribution in some form or another, I’m sure of it.
- The company that took away my job decided to give me something back, but it’s still not enough to make up for what they did. I’ll take whatever retribution I can get, though.
- For ten years, I have been planning retribution against that man for what he did to me twenty years ago, and trust me, next week, I will get my revenge.
10 Examples Of Retribution In A Sentence
The assumption that most people make when using the word retribution is that it can only apply in a religious context. But there are many ways you can use the word other than “divine intervention.” Here is a look at ten examples of retribution in a sentence.
- The reason most witnesses prefer to remain anonymous is the fear of retribution.
- The students believed that failing to pass their exams was retribution because they were naughty the whole term.
- The question that was left unanswered is whether the civilian government should seek retribution against any military officer that abuses human rights.
- The mayor empathizes with retribution to help reinforce the community’s values.
- The retribution system was instantaneous and physically painful to the offender.
- The lady speaking at the public square insisted that retribution should not be rewarded or glorified, but everyone disagreed.
- He saw his suffering as retribution for his mistakes when he was a youth.
- The armies are prepared to invade the land and seek retribution.
- The way the members of Parliament are behaving, it is like they do not fear getting retribution from their constituents.
- Is it true that doing evil action brings retribution after death?
How Do You Spell The Word Retribution?
The word “retribution is spelled using a high “re.” and “tri.” sound; it is then followed by a shallow “bu.” and a ·ʃən.
As much as you know and understand the meaning of “retribution,” It is also essential to know how to spell it. Written communication is just as vital as spoken communication. Therefore, it is essential to correctly spell the word to ensure you get the best outcome.
How to Pronounce Retribution?
The word “retribution is pronounced as “reh.truh.byoo.shn.”
Learning how to pronounce a word is crucial as it will help you with your diction. In addition, proper pronunciation will help people understand you better and make communication easier. Thus, it is vital to learn how to pronounce the word “retribution” before you start using it in your speeches.
At first, if you come across the word the first time, you might have difficulty pronouncing it because of the last word prefix .tion. It is pronounced as “shun.” If you have this knowledge, it is easier to understand the pronunciation.
Synonyms Of The Word “Retribution”
- Recompense
- compensation
- Redress
- Reward
Antonyms Of The Word “Retribution”
- Remission
- Forgiveness
- Clemency
- Mercy
How Many Syllables Are In Retribution?
The word “retribution” has four syllables.
The syllables are divided as ret-ri-bu-tion. Note that the two syllables that you need to stress when pronouncing the word “retribution” are “ret” and “bu.”
History & Etymology of Retribution
The word “retribution” is derived from Latin, which means “retributionem” “giving back what is due.” In Latin, the word retribution was only used when people talked about punishment. A great example to show retribution is the old punishment code “an eye for an eye” or “a tooth for a tooth.” In the past, the assumption was that significant events such as tornadoes and earthquakes were retribution for human pride.
The word retribution was then borrowed from the Latin by the Old French “retribution” or “retribucion.” The French used the word to mean “re-compensate” or repayment. The Old French also used the word to mean “That which is given in return for the past good or evil. The word also comes from the church latin “retribūtiō.”
The English language borrowed the word from the Old French and used it as retribution. “But the English word used tends to restrict the word to evil given for evil done.” Christians introduced the word retribution to their religion in the 1520s. In Christian theology, the word is used to show “the time of punishment.”
When Was The Word Retribution First Used?
Religion first started to use the word in 1520.
The English vocabulary was first used in many religious books before it was introduced in the philosophy of justice. The reality is that it is difficult to know when the English vocabulary first used the word without reference to religion.
Conclusion
Though it is mainly used negatively, “retribution” can also be positive. In some context, you can use “retribution” to mean “reward for a good deed done.” But most often, the word is mainly used as a negative word to mean” punishment,’ “justly deserved punishment,” or “retaliation for harm done.”
Now that you know the definition and the meaning of “retribution,” you can include it in your conversations and writing with ease to help you communicate better. It is impressive when someone communicates with you, and their language is eloquent and on point. It gives a lasting impression to those who speak to you and helps improve your vocabulary.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.