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Meaning of retributive
The primary meaning of "retributive" is related to punishment or reward, particularly in the context of punishing someone for a wrongdoing.
Etymology of retributive
The word "retributive" originates from the Latin "retributivus," which is derived from "retribuere," meaning to pay or give back, and the suffix "-ive," which forms an adjective indicating a tendency or relation.
Historically, the term has been used in various contexts, including law, ethics, and theology, to describe actions or policies aimed at punishing or rewarding individuals based on their actions.
Synonyms
punitive
penal
corrective
disciplinary
vindictive
retaliatory
revengeful
avenging
compensatory
redressive
expiatory
atonatory
propitiatory
penalizing
chastising
castigating
reproachful
condemnatory
denunciatory
censorious
disapproving
reproving
scandalized
outraged
indignant
infuriated
irate
wrathful
vengeful
spiteful
malevolent
malignant
hostile
aggressive
belligerent
bellicose
pugnacious
confrontational
antagonistic
adversarial
inimical
unforgiving
unrelenting
merciless
ruthless
brutal
savage
ferocious
fierce
intense
vehement
violent
forceful
powerful
potent
formidable
intimidating
daunting
forbidding
ominous
threatening
menacing
alarming
disturbing
unsettling
disquieting
perturbing
troublous
turbulent
stormy
tempestuous
passionate
fervent
ardent
zealous
enthusiastic
eager
vehement
fervid
perfervid
impassioned
excited
animated
inflamed
incensed
indignant
ireful
irascible
testy
touchy
sensitive
volatile
explosive
combustible
inflammable
flammable
fiery
blazing
flaming
scorching
burning
torrid
sultry
sweltering
oppressive
overwhelming
crushing
devastating
calamitous
disastrous
cataclysmic
apocalyptic
dire
dreadful
fearful
terrible
horrific
awful
hideous
ghastly
gruesome
grisly
macabre
lurid
shocking
startling
stunning
astounding
astonishing
amazing
incredible
unbelievable
unconscionable
unmitigated
unrelieved
unremitting
unyielding
unappeasable
unpacifiable
implacable
unrelenting
inexorable
remorseless
unforgiving
unmerciful
unpitying
pitiless
merciless
heartless
cruel
brutal
savage
ferocious
inhumane
barbarous
barbaric
heinous
atrocious
abhorrent
detestable
odious
loathsome
hateful
abominable
execrable
reprehensible
condemnable
censurable
blamable
culpable
guilty
criminal
felonious
nefarious
villainous
iniquitous
depraved
corrupt
degenerate
perverted
warped
twisted
distorted
abnormal
unnatural
unconventional
unorthodox
irregular
anomalous
deviant
aberrant
perverse
wicked
evil
malefic
malignant
baneful
baleful
hurtful
damaging
injurious
harmful
destructive
calamitous
disastrous
ruinous
cataclysmic
apocalyptic
dire
dreadful
fearful
terrible
horrific
awful
hideous
ghastly
gruesome
grisly
macabre
lurid
shocking
startling
stunning
astounding
astonishing
amazing
incredible
unbelievable
Definitions
- Concerned with or relating to punishment, especially punishment that is intended to fit the crime.
- * Relating to or characterized by retribution, especially punishment for a wrongdoing.
Usage Examples
- The retributive justice system focuses on punishing criminals rather than rehabilitating them.
- * The company's retributive policy towards employee misconduct has been criticized for being too harsh.
- * The concept of retributive punishment is often debated among ethicists and legal scholars.
Antonyms
rehabilitative
restorative
corrective
remedial
therapeutic
curative
medicinal
healing
reparative
compensatory
redressive
expiatory
atonatory
propitiatory
conciliatory
placatory
appeasatory
pacific
peaceful
calm
gentle
mild
lenient
tolerant
forgiving
merciful
sympathetic
empathetic
compassionate
benevolent
kind
humane
charitable
generous
magnanimous
noble
gracious
courteous
polite
considerate