retributive (adj.)

"making or bringing requital, retaliative, characterized by retribution," 1670s, from retribute + -ive. Related: Retributively.

Entries linking to retributive

retribute (v.)

"give in return, restore, pay back," 1570s, from Latin retributus, past participle of retribuere "give back, restore, repay" (see retribution). Related: Retributed; retributing.

-ive

word-forming element making adjectives from verbs, meaning "pertaining to, tending to; doing, serving to do," in some cases from Old French -if, but usually directly from Latin adjectival suffix -ivus (source also of Italian and Spanish -ivo). In some words borrowed from French at an early date it has been reduced to -y (as in hasty, tardy).

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Definitions of retributive

retributive (adj.)

of or relating to or having the nature of retribution;

retributive justice demands an eye for an eye

Synonyms: retaliatory / retaliative / retributory / vindicatory

retributive (adj.)

given or inflicted in requital according to merits or deserts;

retributive justice

Synonyms: retributory / vindicatory

From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near retributive

retrench

retrenchment

retrial

retribute

retribution

retributive

retrievable

retrieval

retrieve

retriever

retro-