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retribution

noun [U]
 
 
/ˌret.rɪˈbjuː.ʃən/ formal

Definition

deserved and severe punishment: They fled because they feared retribution for the genocide. She was asked whether a civilian government should seek retribution against military officers involved in human rights abuses. Many saw her death as divine retribution (= punishment by God) for her crimes.Punishing and punishmentsPunishing by causing painHitting and beating retributive
 
 
/rɪˈtrɪb.jʊ.tɪv/ US  /-t̬ɪv/ adjective [before noun]
retributive action/justicePunishing and punishmentsPunishing by causing painHitting and beating
(Definition of retribution noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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