# retributivism

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A philosophy of law, stating that criminals should be punished (retribution) for the harm they have caused.

## Etymology
From retributive + -ism.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/retributivism