WorldAugust 23, 2026

retributive

ri-TRIB-yuh-tiv

Definition

Relating to or involving punishment inflicted as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'retribuere', meaning 'to pay back'. It entered English in the 17th century to describe the act of assigning repayment or punishment for actions taken.

In the news

The article uses 'retributive' to contrast the new Indian criminal laws with colonial ones, explaining that the new focus is on restorative justice rather than merely punishing offenders.

How the New Criminal Laws Are Rewiring India’s Justice System

Read the full article ↗

Indianmasterminds

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