Standard Lemma guide

retribute

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈɹɛtɹɪbjuːt/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To pay back; to give in return, as payment, reward, or punishment; to requite.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • to retribute someone for their kindness
  • to retribute just punishment to a criminal

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Latin retributus, past participle of retribuo (“to retribute”); prefix re- + tribuo (“to bestow, assign, pay”). See tribute.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Portuguese: retribuir — to give in return
  • Spanish: retribuir — to give in return