Retribution vs. Revenge — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
Retribution is punishment administered for wrongdoing, often seen as justified; Revenge is a personal, emotional response seeking harm to someone for a perceived offense.
Difference Between Retribution and Revenge
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Retribution often carries a sense of justice or fairness, implying that the punishment or consequence is merited due to the act committed. Revenge, however, is fueled by personal feelings, vendettas, or deep-seated grudges and may not always be proportionate to the initial act.
While societies might institutionalize retribution through legal systems to maintain order, revenge is typically an individual's response, stemming from feelings of anger or betrayal and might not adhere to societal norms or rules.
Retribution is generally seen as impersonal and is based on an objective standard, such as a code of law. Revenge is intensely personal, with the person seeking revenge often driven by a subjective sense of wrong and a desire to restore personal honor or dignity.
In religious texts or philosophies, retribution might be portrayed as divine punishment for misdeeds, operating on a cosmic scale of justice. In contrast, revenge might be discouraged, as it can perpetuate cycles of conflict and does not necessarily lead to justice or resolution.
Retribution and Revenge both involve responding to wrongs, but while the former is more structured and justice-oriented, the latter is personal, potentially consuming, and might not bring about true justice.
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Justice, fairness
Personal feelings, vendettas
Scale
Can be societal or individual
Primarily individual
Relation to law
Often aligned with legal systems
Can be outside or in contradiction to the law
Proportionality
Typically proportionate to the wrongdoing
Might be disproportionate to the offense
Emotional underpinnings
Impersonal, objective
Emotional, subjective
Compare with Definitions
Retribution
Divine punishment for misdeeds.
Many believe in divine retribution after death.
Revenge
An act of vengeance to satisfy personal emotions.
Her revenge plot was detailed and elaborate.
Retribution
Justified retaliation for an offense.
The community sought retribution for the injustice.
Revenge
A means of settling scores or restoring personal honor.
He believed revenge would restore his family's honor.
Retribution
Consequences resulting from one's actions.
Her lies eventually led to her retribution.
Revenge
An action driven by anger or resentment.
Consumed by anger, her thoughts turned to revenge.
Retribution
Punishment given for a wrongdoing.
The thief faced retribution for his crimes.
Revenge
A response to a perceived slight or offense.
She took revenge on those who underestimated her.
Retribution
A repayment or compensation for harm done.
The company's retribution for the accident was significant.
Revenge
Retaliation for harm or wrongs done to oneself.
He sought revenge for his brother's betrayal.
Retribution
Punishment administered in return for a wrong committed.
Revenge
Revenge is defined as the act of committing a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. Francis Bacon described revenge as a kind of "wild justice" that "does...
Retribution
(Theology) Punishment or reward distributed in a future life based on performance in this one.
Revenge
To inflict punishment in return for (injury or insult).
Retribution
Punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance.
Revenge
(Archaic) To seek or take vengeance for (oneself or another person); avenge.
Retribution
The act of retributing; repayment.
In good offices and due retributions, we may not be pinching and niggardly.
Revenge
The act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation
Took revenge on her tormentors.
Retribution
That which is given in repayment or compensation; return suitable to the merits or deserts of, as an action; commonly, condign punishment for evil or wrong.
All who have their reward on earth, . . . Naught seeking but the praise of men, here findFit retribution, empty as their deeds.
Revenge
A desire for revenge; spite or vindictiveness
He did it out of revenge.
Retribution
Specifically, reward and punishment, as distributed at the general judgment.
It is a strong argument for a state of retribution hereafter, that in this world virtuous persons are very often unfortunate, and vicious persons prosperous.
Revenge
An opportunity to retaliate, as by a return sports match after a defeat
After the loss, he demanded that he be given his revenge.
Retribution
A justly deserved penalty
Revenge
Something done in retaliation, especially a defeat of a rival who has been victorious.
Retribution
The act of correcting for your wrongdoing
Revenge
Any form of personal, retaliatory action against an individual, institution, or group for some alleged or perceived harm or injustice.
Indifference is the sweetest revenge.
When I left my wife, she tried to set fire to the house in revenge.
Retribution
The act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life;
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord
For vengeance I would do nothing. This nation is too great to look for mere revenge
He swore vengeance on the man who betrayed him
The swiftness of divine retribution
Revenge
A win by a previous loser.
Revenge
(transitive) To take revenge for (a particular harmful action) or on behalf of (its victim); to avenge.
Arsenal revenged their loss to Manchester United last time with a 5–0 drubbing this time.
Revenge
To take one's revenge (on or upon someone).
Revenge
To take vengeance; to revenge itself.
Revenge
To inflict harm in return for, as an injury, insult, etc.; to exact satisfaction for, under a sense of injury; to avenge; - followed either by the wrong received, or by the person or thing wronged, as the object, or by the reciprocal pronoun as direct object, and a preposition before the wrong done or the wrongdoer.
To revenge the death of our fathers.
The gods are just, and will revenge our cause.
Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius.
Revenge
To inflict injury for, in a spiteful, wrong, or malignant spirit; to wreak vengeance for maliciously.
Revenge
To take vengeance; - with
Revenge
The act of revenging; vengeance; retaliation; a returning of evil for evil.
Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is even with his enemy; but in passing it over he is superior.
Revenge
The disposition to revenge; a malignant wishing of evil to one who has done us an injury.
Revenge now goesTo lay a complot to betray thy foes.
The indulgence of revenge tends to make men more savage and cruel.
Revenge
Action taken in return for an injury or offense
Revenge
Take revenge for a perceived wrong;
He wants to avenge the murder of his brother
Common Curiosities
What drives a person to seek revenge?
Personal feelings like anger, betrayal, or a desire to restore honor typically drive revenge.
How do cultures view retribution versus revenge?
While many cultures see retribution as necessary for societal order, views on revenge vary, with some seeing it as justified and others as perpetuating conflict.
Can retribution be a positive consequence?
Retribution typically implies negative consequences, but in some contexts, it might mean receiving just desserts, which can be positive.
Is retribution always violent or harmful?
No, retribution can be any form of punishment or consequence deemed appropriate for a wrongdoing.
Is retribution always just?
Though retribution aims to be just, it can be subject to societal biases or misapplications of justice.
Can a person face legal consequences for seeking revenge?
Yes, if revenge involves illegal actions, it can lead to legal consequences.
Is seeking retribution the same as holding a grudge?
No, while both involve reactions to wrongs, retribution seeks to address and rectify them, whereas holding a grudge is about harboring resentment.
Can retribution be delivered by individuals or only by systems?
While often associated with systems like the legal system, individuals can also deliver retribution if seen as appropriate within their cultural or societal context.
Can revenge be seen as justified in some contexts?
Depending on cultural or personal views, revenge can sometimes be seen as justified, especially if perceived as the only means to justice.
Is revenge always negative?
While revenge often has negative connotations, some view it as a means of achieving justice, though it might not always be constructive.
Can revenge bring closure?
While some feel revenge brings closure, others find it perpetuates pain and does not truly resolve feelings.
Does revenge always provide satisfaction?
Not necessarily; some find revenge unsatisfying or even regrettable afterward.
How does literature typically portray revenge?
Literature often portrays revenge as consuming and potentially tragic, highlighting its emotional and moral complexities.
Can revenge be non-violent?
Yes, revenge can manifest in various ways, not always physical; it could be emotional, social, or psychological.
How does society typically view those who constantly seek revenge?
Such individuals are often viewed as consumed by their emotions, potentially unstable, or unable to move past wrongs.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
