make retribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'make retribution' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an act of punishing someone because they haven’t behaved as expected or as a way of repairing damage done. For example, you could say: "The judge decided to make retribution for the crime by sending the criminal to prison."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Shafik's opponent, Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, is already seeking to make retribution against Mr. Mubarak a central issue of the presidential race.

The New York Times

Let's learn how to mourn, make retribution, and move on.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In their overzealousness, some of them make the mistake of bringing in security guards in inappropriate settings, increasing the victims' resentment and making retribution more likely.

The New York Times

Despite the threats against separatists from Kiev on Sunday, the presence of the Kremlin's force of 21,000 will make exacting retribution a difficult proposition.

Independent

The purpose of criminal sanctions was to make the offender give retribution for harm done and expiate his moral guilt; punishment was to be meted out in proportion to the guilt of the accused.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In your case Adebolajo there is no mitigation, and whilst to state the obvious, this is not a case of mass or repeated murder it is nevertheless one of those rare cases where not only is the seriousness exceptionally high but the requirements of just punishment and retribution make such an order the just penalty.

The Guardian

And all it takes is a fear of retribution to make that true".

The Guardian

To do so would promote tension between neighbors and, even worse, might leave some folks too fearful of retribution to make legitimate complaints.

The New York Times - Magazine

He hopes the next dictator international justice will catch up with will be Than Shwe, the junta's leader.But the fear of retribution may make the junta resist reform even more tenaciously.

The Economist

All three segments deal in a sense with altered identities and crimes of retribution that make uneasy encroachments on Lewis's own fantasy of avenging his wife's death.

The New York Times - Arts

Flicker Alley also includes "Monte Cristo," a 1922 adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas tale of injustice and retribution made when Gilbert was still under contract at Fox.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. "Make retribution" can be replaced with simpler terms like "punish" or "compensate" in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "make retribution" when the intent is simply to inflict harm without regard for fairness or justice. Retribution implies a proportional response to a wrong, unlike revenge, which can be excessive or misdirected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make retribution" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of administering punishment or exacting compensation for a wrong. As Ludwig AI points out, it signifies an effort to correct an imbalance caused by an offense.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make retribution" is grammatically correct and used to describe the act of administering punishment or compensation for a wrong. According to Ludwig AI, its function is to indicate an action taken to correct an imbalance. While grammatically sound, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly conveys who is administering the retribution and for what specific offense. Alternatives such as "exact revenge" or "administer punishment" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exact revenge

Focuses specifically on the act of taking revenge.

seek vengeance

Emphasizes the pursuit of revenge or retribution.

administer punishment

Highlights the act of giving out consequences for misdeeds.

impose penalty

Refers to formally enforcing a punishment or fine.

take punitive action

Highlights taking actions intended as a punishment.

mete out justice

Implies a measured and fair distribution of justice.

visit retribution upon

A more formal way of saying to bring consequences to someone.

inflict consequences

Focuses on causing negative outcomes as a result of an action.

require amends

Focuses on the act of requiring someone to make corrections or pay compensation.

settle the score

Implies a personal act of balancing a past wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "make retribution" in a sentence?

You can use "make retribution" to describe the act of imposing a penalty or punishment. For example, "The court sought to make retribution for the damage caused by the company."

What are some alternatives to "make retribution"?

Alternatives include "exact revenge", "administer punishment", or "impose penalty", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make retribution" or "seek retribution"?

"Make retribution" refers to the act of administering punishment, while "seek retribution" implies the act of trying to obtain revenge or justice. The better choice depends on whether you're describing the action of punishing or the desire for revenge.

What is the difference between "make retribution" and "make restitution"?

"Make retribution" generally means to punish or get even for a wrong, whereas "make restitution" refers to compensating for a loss or damage. Restitution focuses on restoring something to its rightful owner or state.