How to pronounce retribute
Say it like RET-rih-byoot. Retribute has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retribute. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RET
- rih
- byoot
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retribute pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- byootKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of retribute
American and British speakers say retribute in essentially the same way: /ˈrɛtrɪbjut/ in the US and /ˈrɛtrɪbjuːt/ in the UK.
British respelling: RET-rih-byoot.
What does retribute mean?
- To pay back; to give in return, as payment, reward, or punishment; to requite.“to retribute someone for their kindness”
Where does retribute come from?
Latin retributus, past participle of retribuo (“to retribute”); prefix re- + tribuo (“to bestow, assign, pay”).
Questions about saying retribute
How do you pronounce retribute?
Say RET-rih-byoot. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɛtrɪbjut/. In British English it is /ˈrɛtrɪbjuːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retribute?
Retribute has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RET). Broken into parts: RET · rih · byoot.
Do Americans and Brits say retribute the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrɛtrɪbjut/ and the British form is /ˈrɛtrɪbjuːt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.