Restitutionary

Relating to or involving the act of restoring something lost or stolen to its rightful owner; pertaining to the compensation for loss or damage; designed to bring back a person or thing to a former condition or place. The term often suggests a legal or moral obligation to make amends for an injustice or wrongdoing, either through returning property, providing financial compensation, or undertaking other restorative actions. It emphasizes the idea of making whole or returning to a state of equilibrium following a loss or harm.

Restitutionary meaning with examples

• The court ordered a restitutionary payment to the victims of the Ponzi scheme. This required the embezzler to return funds gained from the scheme. The ruling aimed to financially compensate those who had been defrauded, reflecting a restitutionary principle of 'making the victims whole' after their losses, aiming for partial recovery.
• The organization adopted a restitutionary approach to environmental damage. This meant that companies responsible for pollution were held accountable to cover cleanup efforts. The policy promoted restoring natural resources. Penalties incentivized companies to be better environmental stewards.
• After the war, the nation implemented a restitutionary plan for returning stolen art. The goal was to reunite families with their lost family heirlooms. This included a review of cultural property. Such actions repaired historical and cultural damage.
• The company's new policy on product returns included a restitutionary aspect. Customers were offered full refunds or replacement products. It promoted good consumer relations. This was considered fair and just with the focus on 'putting things right'.