In retaliation

USAGE SUMMARY

"in retaliation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a response that is meant to hurt or punish someone after they have hurt or wronged you in some way. For example, "In retaliation, Mary stopped speaking to her former best friend after she found out that she had spread rumors about her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In retaliation every house was levelled.

The Guardian

In retaliation, the students staged a one-day strike.

The New Yorker

In retaliation, Hamilton tried to prevent Adams's reelection.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In retaliation, the group seized the five Britons.

The New York Times

In retaliation, Russia's Parliament in December prohibited Americans from adopting Russian orphans.

The New York Times

In retaliation, he blocked a proposed treaty change aimed at helping to strengthen the euro.

The New York Times

In retaliation, colonial officials branded 'nationalists and socialists' as 'communists'communists

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

In retaliation, Cairo has cancelled naval exercises with Turkey.

BBC

In retaliation, a member of w00w00 attacked the intruder's box and retrieved his home phone number.

TechCrunch

In retaliation and anger, or with love?

Huffington Post

In retaliation, Bennett wrote "lurid exposés of life in Nauvoo".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in retaliation", ensure the context clearly establishes the initial action that prompted the response. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "in retaliation" when the response is disproportionate to the initial action. Overstating the severity of the reaction can undermine your credibility and make the response seem unreasonable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in retaliation" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used adverbially to modify a verb or clause. It indicates the reason or motivation behind an action, specifically that it is done as a response to a prior offense or harm. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to connect an action with its cause.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

29%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in retaliation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies an action taken as a direct response to a perceived wrong. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a cause-and-effect relationship. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While "in retaliation" is generally used to describe negative reactions, it's crucial to ensure that the retaliatory action is proportionate to the initial offense. Alternatives such as "as retribution" or "in reprisal" can offer nuanced variations in meaning and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as retribution

Focuses more on the concept of deserved punishment or payback.

as revenge

Emphasizes the personal desire to inflict harm in return for a perceived wrong.

in reprisal

A more formal and often military or political term for retaliatory action.

by way of retaliation

Adds emphasis to the method or means by which the retaliation is carried out.

to get even

An informal phrase expressing the desire to settle a score.

in response

A broader term that indicates a reaction to something, not necessarily negative.

as a countermeasure

Suggests a defensive action taken to negate or mitigate the effects of an attack.

as a payback

An informal expression for returning harm for harm.

in return

A general term for giving something back, which can be positive or negative.

on the offensive

Shifts the focus to initiating an attack, rather than simply reacting.

FAQs

How can I use "in retaliation" in a sentence?

Use "in retaliation" to show a direct response to an action. For example, "The company fired the whistleblower; "in retaliation", they leaked internal documents".

What are some alternatives to saying "in retaliation"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "as retribution", "in reprisal", or "as revenge" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always negative to act "in retaliation"?

While "in retaliation" often implies a negative response to a negative action, the appropriateness depends on the specific context and whether the response is proportionate and justified. However, the alternatives for it, such as "as a countermeasure" may sound more neutral.

What's the difference between "in retaliation" and "in response"?

"In response" is a general term for reacting to something, while "in retaliation" specifically indicates a response meant to inflict harm or punishment. "In response" is neutral, while "in retaliation" is negative.