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Restitution: meaning, definitions and examples

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restitution

[ˌrɛstɪˈt(j)uːʃ(ə)n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal term

The act of restoring something that was lost or stolen to its rightful owner; the act of compensating for loss, damage, or injury.

Synonyms

compensation, indemnification, reparation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
restitution

Restitution is typically used in legal contexts when something has been taken or damaged and needs to be returned or replaced. It focuses on restoring the victim to their original state.

  • The thief was ordered to pay restitution for the stolen goods.
  • The company made restitution to the clients affected by the data breach.
compensation

Compensation is a broad term used in various contexts, such as employment, personal injury, or customer service, to describe payment or benefits given for work performed, losses, or damages sustained.

  • Workers receive compensation for overtime work.
  • The airline offered compensation to passengers for the delayed flight.
reparation

Reparation is often used in historical, legal, or political contexts to describe compensation or amends made, especially for wrongdoing or harm done during a conflict or under oppressive conditions.

  • The government issued reparations to descendants of enslaved people.
  • Reparations were paid by the country for damages caused during the war.
indemnification

Indemnification is typically found in legal and contractual contexts. It involves providing security or protection against financial losses, often through an indemnity clause in contracts.

  • The contract includes a clause for indemnification against any third-party claims.
  • He sought indemnification from the company for losses incurred during the project.

Examples of usage

  • The court ordered the thief to make restitution to the victim.
  • The company was required to provide financial restitution to the affected customers.
Context #2 | Noun

formal

The restoration of something to its original state or condition.

Synonyms

recovery, reinstatement, restoration.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
restitution

Use this word when referring to the act of returning something that was lost or stolen to its rightful owner or compensating for loss or damage.

  • The thief was ordered to make restitution to the victim.
  • The company provided restitution for the environmental damage caused.
restoration

Use this word when referring to the process of returning something to its original or better condition, particularly in the context of buildings, art, or ecosystems.

  • The ancient painting underwent extensive restoration.
  • The government funded the restoration of historic landmarks.
reinstatement

Use this word when referring to the process of restoring someone to their former position or state, often after being removed or dismissed.

  • The employee's reinstatement was ordered after the wrongful termination lawsuit.
  • The committee is lobbying for the reinstatement of the old regulations.
recovery

Use this word when referring to the process of regaining health, possession, or status after a loss or setback.

  • She is now in recovery after the surgery.
  • The economic recovery after the recession was slow.

Examples of usage

  • The restitution of the historic building was a major achievement for the preservation society.
  • The artist focused on the restitution of the painting to its former glory.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'restitutio', meaning 'restoration' or 'renewal'.
  • It has been in use in English since the early 15th century, primarily in legal contexts.

Law

  • In legal terms, restitution requires a person to restore property or pay for damages caused by their actions.
  • It aims to put the victim back in the position they were in before the harm was done.
  • Judges often order restitution when a crime has caused financial loss to a victim.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers discuss restitution as part of justice, relating it to fairness and moral responsibility.
  • The concept raises questions about how best to compensate someone who has been wronged.

History

  • Throughout history, many cultures have had practices to restore lost property, seen in various ancient societies.
  • After war conflicts, nations have sometimes engaged in restitution efforts to return property or ensure reparations.

Economics

  • Restitution can also relate to economic policies that aim to rectify disparities caused by previous injustices.
  • Debates around restitution often center on whether certain groups should receive compensation for historical grievances.

Translations

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Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,277, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.