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Retribution vs Expiation - What's the difference?

retribution | expiation |

As nouns the difference between retribution and expiation

is that retribution is punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance while expiation is an act of atonement for a sin or wrongdoing.

retribution

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance.
  • *1983 , Richard A. Posner, The economics of justice m p.208:
  • *:Whereas retribution focuses on the offender's wrong, retaliation focuses on the impulse of the victim (or of those who sympathize with him) to strike back at the offender.
  • * 1999 , , Medieval crime and social control , p.73:
  • *:1. Revenge is for an injury; retribution is for a wrong.
  • *:2. Retribution sets an internal limit to the amount of the punishment according to the seriousness of the wrong; revenge need not.
  • *:3. Revenge is personal; the agent of retribution need have no special or personal tie to the victim of the wrong for which he exacts retribution.
  • *:4. Revenge involves a particular emotional tone, pleasure in the suffering of another, while retribution need involve no emotional tone.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Hypernyms

    * punishment

    Derived terms

    * retributionist * retributive

    expiation

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An act of atonement for a sin or wrongdoing.
  • (obsolete) The act of expiating or stripping off; plunder; pillage.
  • * Daniel
    • This ravenous expiation of the state.

    Synonyms

    * atonement, propitiation

    Related terms

    * expiate