a desire for retribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a desire for retribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings of wanting to seek revenge or punishment for a perceived wrong or injustice. Example: "After the betrayal, she felt a strong desire for retribution against those who had wronged her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I expected anger, vindictiveness, a desire for retribution.

The New Yorker

In a study of non-union employees in the United States, the organizational psychologist Daniel Skarlicki found that workers' perception that they are being treated unfairly not only causes negative emotions but also breeds a desire for retribution.

The New Yorker

And it is just as hard to know whether such deeds, if they are occurring, will enhance long-term national security or fuel a desire for retribution against America.

The New York Times

It's easy now to forget how significant that first season was, both from a technical perspective — with its use of simulated real time and split-screen action — and in the way the show both reflected and provoked a mood of fear and a desire for retribution.

The New Yorker

So you see we impose punishment based on fear and a desire for retribution, not based on rational evaluations of what crimes and criminals are most dangerous.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The gap between the two million dead and the elderly defendant with decayed teeth defeats any desire for retribution.

The New Yorker

A strong desire for retribution.

Huffington Post

But he suggested that in the streets there was a more pressing desire for retribution.

The New York Times

"Often this can bring a sense of anger and desire for retribution.

The Guardian

An email obtained by Guardian Australia reveals that Still emailed all staff on the island warning them about speaking out from a "sense of anger and desire for retribution".

The Guardian

Sitting cross-legged on an easy chair in her home in Berkeley, Calif., last winter, she described the experience as a "complete relinquishment of anger, hatred and the desire for retribution and revenge".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a desire for retribution", consider the intensity of the feeling you want to convey. Synonyms like "thirst" or "longing" can add nuance.

Common error

While "a desire for retribution" is appropriate for formal contexts, avoid using it in casual conversation where simpler terms like "wanting revenge" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a desire for retribution" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it expresses a feeling or motivation, describing a wish to punish someone for a perceived wrong.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a desire for retribution" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that expresses a wish for revenge or punishment, as Ludwig AI confirms. While the phrase appears more frequently in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When writing, consider the intensity you wish to convey and avoid overusing it in informal settings. Alternatives such as "a thirst for revenge" or "a longing for vengeance" can offer nuanced shades of meaning. It's crucial to differentiate between the feeling of wanting retribution and the actual act of revenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an appetite for retribution

Suggests a voracious and almost uncontrolled desire for revenge.

a thirst for revenge

Emphasizes the intensity and craving for revenge.

a longing for vengeance

Highlights the prolonged and deep-seated nature of the desire.

a drive for revenge

Emphasizes the motivating force behind seeking retribution.

a need for revenge

Focuses on the feeling of obligation or necessity to retaliate.

a yearning for revenge

Highlights the sentimental and sorrowful aspect of wanting revenge.

an urge for retaliation

Highlights the impulsive and instinctive nature of the response.

a quest for vengeance

Emphasizes the determined and active pursuit of revenge.

a demand for justice

Shifts the focus from personal revenge to a broader sense of fairness.

a push for accountability

Focuses on holding someone responsible for their actions, rather than seeking direct revenge.

FAQs

What does "a desire for retribution" mean?

It means a strong feeling of wanting to punish someone for a perceived wrong or injustice, often involving revenge or exacting a penalty.

How to use "a desire for retribution" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a character's motivation, a societal trend, or a personal feeling. For example, "The victim's family felt "a desire for retribution" after the trial."

What are some alternatives to "a desire for retribution"?

Alternatives include "a thirst for revenge", "a longing for vengeance", or "a need for revenge", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "a desire for retribution" the same as "revenge"?

While related, "a desire for retribution" is the feeling or motivation, while "revenge" is the action taken to inflict harm in return for a wrong. Retribution can also imply a more formal or just punishment, not just personal revenge.