retributory
Delivering deserved punishment
Retributory means relating to or involving retribution—punishment inflicted as payback for wrongdoing.
The word functions like retributive but appears less frequently: retributory justice, retributory measures.
It suggests punishment that balances the scales rather than reforms or deters.
Punishing a wrongdoer
- vengefulWanting to harm back
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- avengerRetribution dealer
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
wrath · vendetta · blood feud · grudge · eye for an eye · comeuppance · spiteful · rancorous
Punitive action in return
- counterstrikeRetaliatory military action
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
- counterblowRetaliatory strike
counteraction · reciprocal · reactive · responsive · retort · rejoinder · backlash · blowback
Inflicting or intending penalty
- penalRelating to punishment
- disciplinaryRelated to enforcing rules
- correctionalAimed at rehabilitation
- sanctioningFormally approving or penalizing
chastening · admonitory · corporal · reformatory · probationary · penitentiary · repressive · judicial
Restoring what was lost
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- redressCompensation for injury
- recompensePayment for loss
- requitalReturn for actions
amends · indemnity · damages · rectification · satisfaction · remedy · atonement · expiation
Results following an event
- outcomeFinal result of events
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- ramificationSecondary consequence of action
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
result · effect · aftereffect · upshot · corollary · sequel · blowback · backlash
revenge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- vengefulWanting to harm back
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- avengerRetribution dealer
nemesis · wrath · vendetta · blood feud · grudge · eye for an eye · comeuppance · spiteful · rancorous · malevolent
reprisal
Punitive action in return
- counterstrikeRetaliatory military action
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
counterblow · counteraction · reciprocal · reactive · responsive · retort · rejoinder · backlash · blowback · reciprocity
punitive
Inflicting or intending penalty
- penalRelating to punishment
- disciplinaryRelated to enforcing rules
- correctionalAimed at rehabilitation
sanctioning · chastening · admonitory · corporal · reformatory · probationary · penitentiary · repressive · judicial · fines
restitution
Restoring what was lost
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- redressCompensation for injury
- recompensePayment for loss
requital · amends · indemnity · damages · rectification · satisfaction · remedy · atonement · expiation · making good
aftermath
Results following an event
- outcomeFinal result of events
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- ramificationSecondary consequence of action
fallout · result · effect · aftereffect · upshot · corollary · sequel · blowback · backlash · impact
deserved
Rightfully earned or warranted
- meritedRightfully earned or warranted
- warrantedProperly justified or sanctioned
- justFair and impartial
righteous · equitable · fair · due · earned · fitting · appropriate · condign · proper · legitimate
retributoryrehabilitative
Promoting return to health
restorative · reformative · therapeutic · corrective · reconciliatory
penalty, distribute, attribute, contributor, deterrent, retribution, compensatory, retributive