a retaliation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a retaliation for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action taken in response to a perceived wrong or offense. Example: "The attack was seen as a retaliation for the earlier provocation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Or it could be purely political, a retaliation for sniping against him by Cheney.

The Guardian

I'm sorry I did it now, because it's obvious it was a retaliation for a guy sliding into second base.

The New York Times - Sports

Taliban commanders say they are intensifying the urban attacks as a retaliation for increased airstrikes on their areas.

The New York Times

This was taken as a retaliation for the massacre at Hebron, where Baruch Goldstein gunned down at least twenty-nine Muslims at their prayers.

The New Yorker

One senior official in Ankara, Turkey's capital, told Reuters they believed the attack was a "retaliation for the Turkish government's efforts to fight terrorism".

Independent

His next words, coming from the man who started the Iraq War as a retaliation for the 9/11 attacks, were criticised as hypocritical by some observers.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

These same offensive measures also could be used in a punishing retaliation for a first-strike cyberattack on an American target, senior officials said.

The New York Times

Then he upped the ante again, firing off 59 cruise missiles at a Syrian army base in an emotional retaliation for a chemical weapons attack in Idlib province.

The Guardian - Opinion

The crisis -- a terrorist retaliation for an assassination secretly ordered by President Bartlet -- does more than bring "West Wing" up to date with current international events.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Putin called the adoption ban an appropriate retaliation for an American law that seeks to punish Russians accused of violating human rights.

The New York Times

Estonia accused Russia of conducting a cyberwar in retaliation for a decision to move a Soviet-era war memorial.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

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

Common error

Avoid using "a retaliation for" when the response is disproportionate to the initial action. Using the phrase implies a sense of balance or justification, so ensure the magnitude of the response is reasonably aligned with the original offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a retaliation for" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating the reason or motivation behind an action. It is used to express that an action is being carried out as a response to a prior offense or wrong.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a retaliation for" is a frequently used prepositional phrase to describe an action taken in response to a perceived wrong. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While alternatives like "an act of revenge for" or "a response to" exist, "a retaliation for" specifically implies a cause-and-effect relationship where the action serves as a direct consequence of a prior offense. Therefore, writers should ensure the context clearly establishes this relationship and that the response is reasonably proportionate to the initial action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an act of revenge for

Emphasizes the vengeful nature of the response.

a reprisal against

Similar to retaliation, but can imply a more forceful or aggressive response.

a countermeasure against

Suggests a strategic action taken to negate a previous threat or action.

a punitive action for

Highlights the intention to punish the wrongdoer.

a payback for

An informal expression indicating a deserved negative consequence.

a response to

A more neutral term that doesn't necessarily imply negativity or aggression.

a reaction to

Similar to response but emphasizes the spontaneous or emotional nature of the action.

an answer to

Highlights a direct reply or solution to a problem or attack.

a consequence of

Focuses on the result of a previous action, without necessarily implying intent.

in return for

Implies a reciprocal action, whether positive or negative.

FAQs

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

This phrase is used to describe an action taken in response to something negative. For example: "The bombing was "a retaliation for" the earlier attack on their base."

What's the difference between "a retaliation for" and "a response to"?

"A retaliation for" specifically implies a negative or harmful action taken in return for another, while "a response to" is a more neutral term that simply indicates an action taken after another, without necessarily implying negativity.

Is "a retaliation for" the same as "an act of revenge for"?

While similar, "an act of revenge for" emphasizes the desire for vengeance, while "a retaliation for" focuses more on the act of responding in kind, which may not always be driven by vengeance.

What are some situations where using "a retaliation for" would be inappropriate?

Using "a retaliation for" might be inappropriate when describing actions that are clearly excessive or unjustified, as it can imply a sense of moral equivalence. It is also unsuitable when describing positive or neutral responses.