Retributing: meaning, definitions and examples
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retributing
[ rɪˈtrɪbjuːt ]
punishment or reward
To retribute means to give back or return something, especially in the context of punishment or reward. It implies a sense of justice or fairness, where actions are reciprocated in kind. This term is commonly associated with moral or ethical implications, often relating to the principle of 'an eye for an eye' in retributive justice. It can also refer to the act of compensating someone for a wrong they have suffered.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The court decided to retribute the damages to the victim.
- He believed in retributing good deeds in equal measure.
- Society must learn to retribute those who commit offenses.
Translations
Translations of the word "retributing" in other languages:
🇵🇹 retribuindo
🇮🇳 प्रतिशोध
🇩🇪 Vergeltung
🇮🇩 pembalasan
🇺🇦 відплата
🇵🇱 odwet
🇯🇵 報復する
🇫🇷 restitution
🇪🇸 retribución
🇹🇷 intikam
🇰🇷 보복
🇸🇦 انتقام
🇨🇿 odplata
🇸🇰 odplata
🇨🇳 报复
🇸🇮 maščevanje
🇮🇸 hefnd
🇰🇿 кек қайтару
🇬🇪 შესაბამისობა
🇦🇿 intiqam
🇲🇽 retribución
Etymology
The word 'retribute' comes from the Latin 'retributus', which is the past participle of 'retribuere', meaning 'to pay back'. This Latin term is composed of the prefix 're-' indicating 'back' or 'again', and 'tribuere', which means 'to assign, distribute or bestow'. The concept of retribution has roots in ancient legal systems where the principle of proportionality dictated responses to wrongdoings. Over time, 'retribute' became associated with moral and ethical discussions about justice and fairness, particularly in the context of law and punishment. The transformation in its usage reflects wider societal changes regarding how wrongs are addressed and what constitutes justice.