English Dictionary

RETRIBUTIVE

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

 Dictionary entry overview: What does retributive mean? 

RETRIBUTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective RETRIBUTIVE has 2 senses:

1. of or relating to or having the nature of retributionplay

2. given or inflicted in requital according to merits or desertsplay

  Familiarity information: RETRIBUTIVE used as an adjective is rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


RETRIBUTIVE (adjective)


Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or having the nature of retribution

Synonyms:

retaliative; retaliatory; retributive; retributory; vindicatory

Context example:

retributive justice demands an eye for an eye

Similar:

punitive; punitory (inflicting punishment)


Sense 2

Meaning:

Given or inflicted in requital according to merits or deserts

Synonyms:

retributive; retributory; vindicatory

Context example:

retributive justice

Similar:

just (used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting)


 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"The pitcher goes so often to the well that it comes home broken at last." (English proverb)

"Every frog must know its sole-leather." (Bulgarian proverb)

"If two thieves quarreled, what was stolen emerges." (Arabic proverb)

"Once a horse is old, ticks and flies flock to it." (Corsican proverb)



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