restitution

What does “restitution” mean?

noun.the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner.

SAT Usage

the term is often found in passages discussing justice, ethics, or legal contexts, emphasizing the moral responsibility to correct wrongs and restore balance. It implies not only the act of returning property but also a deeper sense of accountability and reparation, distinguishing it from similar terms like "compensation," which may not necessarily involve returning the original item.

Common Confusions

Restitution implies the restoration of lost or stolen property to its rightful owner, while compensation usually suggests providing monetary or alternate value without necessarily returning the original item.

Example Sentences

• The thief was ordered to make full restitution to his victims.

• The judge ordered restitution for the victims.

Word Parts: How to Remember “restitution”

Break “restitution” into its parts: re- (again, back). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: re- again, back (Latin)