restitution
ress-tih-TOO-shun
/ˌrɛstɪˈtuːʃən/
The restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner, or financial compensation for injury/loss.
Repayments ordered directly to repair injury to the victim, distinct from fines paid to the state.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'restitutio', from 'restituere' ('re-' back + 'statuere' set up). To make restitution is to literally 'set back up' what was knocked down.
Word relationships
- reparation: 'Reparation' often refers to compensation paid by nations after wars or historic wrongs; 'restitution' is specific individual legal restoration.
- reimbursement: 'Reimbursement' is standard repayment for expenses; 'restitution' carries penal and court-ordered weight.
- deprivation: Taking away or withholding possessions.
Commonly confused with
- compensation: Compensation covers general losses or pain; restitution restores the exact item or exact monetary value stolen/damaged.
Word family
- restitutive (adjective): Intended to make restitution or restore.
Collocations
- pay restitution
- ordered to make restitution
- full restitution
Example sentences
- "In addition to probation, the fraud perpetrator was ordered to pay full restitution to his victims." Financial crime sentencing
- "The museum agreed to make restitution by returning the looted artifacts to their country of origin." Art repatriation
Memory hook
RESTITUTION = RESTORE what was taken from the victim. RESTITUTION = RESTORE to owner.
When not to use
Do not confuse restitution (paying the victim back) with a fine (paying the government).
Fun facts
- Restorative justice models prioritize victim restitution over mere incarceration of the perpetrator.
Related words
Explore more words
amends, compensate, retributive, redress, restoration, damages
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