1. relating to or involving punishment given in return for wrongdoing; characterized by retribution
Usage: formal

Examples

• The judge imposed retributory measures on the convicted criminal.
• Ancient societies often practiced retributory justice based on the principle of an eye for an eye.
• The victim’s family sought retributory action against their attacker.
• The novel explores themes of retributory violence and its consequences.
• Some argue that the death penalty serves a retributory function in the justice system.
• The king’s retributory wrath fell upon those who had betrayed him.