retribution

英 [ˌretrɪ'bjuːʃn] 美 [ˌretrɪ'bjuːʃn]

n.报应；惩罚；报复；报偿

◉Etymology

“Retribution” 这个词源自拉丁语 “retributio”，意为“回报”或“奖惩”。它由 “re-”（回）和 “tributio”（分配）两部分组成，最初指的是根据行为或工作分配奖励或惩罚。在现代英语中，“retribution” 通常指对恶行或罪行的惩罚，强调正义和公平的执行。

◉外刊例句

① 《纽约时报》 (The New York Times), 2023年9月5日

The judge handed down a sentence of retribution, stating that the defendant’s actions had caused immeasurable harm.

法官宣判了一项惩罚性判决，指出被告的行为造成了不可估量的伤害。

② 《金融时报》 (Financial Times), 2023年7月18日

Investors are demanding retribution from the company’s board after the recent data breach scandal.

在最近的数据泄露丑闻之后，投资者要求公司董事会作出赔偿。

◉经典名著

在威廉·莎士比亚的戏剧《麦克白》（Macbeth）中，描述麦克白的命运时可能会用到 “retribution”：

Macbeth’s ambition and sins led to his downfall, a retribution that was as swift as it was inevitable.

麦克白的野心和罪行导致了他的垮台，这是一种迅速而又不可避免的报应。

◉Usage Examples

(1) Restitution is more important than retribution.

(2) His right hand suddenly ordered divine retribution to stand by.

(3) Then it's like Orr wearing a face shield while dishing out retribution.

(4) The French were in a state of postwar shock and clamoring for fearful retribution.

(1) 赔偿比惩罚重要。

(2) 他的右手突然命令上天的惩罚做好准备。

(3) 然后它就像奥尔身穿面罩而抛出报复。

(4) 法国人处于一种战后惊恐状态，叫嚷要进行可怕的报复。

◉Usage Notes

Retribution is the act of taking revenge. If you pull a prank on someone, expect retribution.

Retribution comes from the Latin for giving back what's due, either reward or punishment. But when we talk about retribution, we only talk about punishment. The old punishment code of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," is an example of retribution. Some people think about large events like tornados or earthquakes as cosmic retribution for human pride. Some synonyms are compensation, recompense, requital.

◉Colins

1. [N-UNCOUNT 不可数名词]惩罚；报应 Retribution is punishment for a crime, especially punishment which is carried out by someone other than the official authorities. [FORMAL 正式]

He didn't want any further involvement for fear of retribution.

他担心受到惩罚，不想再牵涉其中。