retribution

/ˈrɛtrəˌbjuʃən/

/rɛtrɪˈbjuʃɛn/

Other forms: retributions

Retribution is the act of taking revenge. If you pull a prank on someone, expect retribution.

Retribution comes from the Latin for giving back what's due, either reward or punishment. But when we talk about retribution, we only talk about punishment. The old punishment code of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," is an example of retribution. Some people think about large events like tornados or earthquakes as cosmic retribution for human pride. Some synonyms are compensation, recompense, requital.

Definitions of retribution

1. noun

   a justly deserved penalty
   synonyms: requital

   type of:

   penalty

   a payment required for not fulfilling a contract
2. noun

   the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life
   “the swiftness of divine retribution”

   synonyms: payback, vengeance

   type of:

   retaliation, revanche, revenge

   action taken in return for an injury or offense
3. noun

   the act of correcting for your wrongdoing
   type of:

   correction, rectification

   the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right