Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

retribution

/ˌɹɛt.ɹɪˈbju.ʃən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.38 in modern English

Syllables: ret-ri-bu-tion
IPA: /ˌɹɛt.ɹɪˈbju.ʃən/

13

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Whereas retribution focuses on the offender's wrong, retaliation focuses on the impulse of the victim (or of those who sympathize with him) to strike back at the offender."
"1. Revenge is for an injury; retribution is for a wrong. 2. Retribution sets an internal limit to the amount of the punishment according to the seriousness of the wrong; revenge need not. 3. Revenge is personal; the agent of retribution need have no special or personal tie to the victim of the wrong for which he exacts retribution. 4. Revenge involves a particular emotional tone, pleasure in the suffering of another, while retribution need involve no emotional tone."

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From Latin retribuere (“repay”).

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: retribuo

Usage

Inflected Forms

retributions (plural)

Derived Forms

nonretribution

Frequently Paired Words

retributionist retributive retributionary retributory retribute

Synonyms

vengeance payback requital

Rhymes With

solution distribution resolution constitution revolution evolution institution contribution execution pollution prosecution prostitution

Questions

How do you pronounce retribution?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌɹɛt.ɹɪˈbju.ʃən/.
What does retribution mean?: Punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance.
Where does retribution come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce retribution

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