What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Retribution vs Vengeance - What's the difference?

retribution | vengeance |

Vengeance is a synonym of retribution.



As nouns the difference between retribution and vengeance

is that retribution is punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance while vengeance is revenge taken for an insult, injury, or other wrong.

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

    vengeance

    English

    Alternative forms

    * vengeaunce

    Noun

  • Revenge taken for an insult, injury, or other wrong.
  • * 2000 , (Gladiator) (film):
    • My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North; General of the Felix Legions; loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius; father to a murdered son; husband to a murdered wife; and I will have my vengeance , in this life or the next.
  • Desire for revenge.
  • * (Charles Dickens), (Little Dorrit) :
    • Thereupon full of anger, full of jealousy, full of vengeance , she forms
  • * 2008 , Jean Harvey Baker, Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography (ISBN 0393075680):
    • If her husband was all forgiveness, asking the bands to play “Dixie,” she was full of vengeance
  • * 2011 , James Calloway, Black America, Not in This America (ISBN 1462868576):
    • Are they full of vengeance'[?], because they say that people with ' vengeance in their hearts must dig two graves, one for their enemy and the other for themselves.

    Synonyms

    * reprisal * retaliation * retribution * revenge * wreak * See also

    Antonyms

    * reconciliation