as a retribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a retribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing consequences or punishment for a wrongdoing or offense. Example: "He faced severe consequences as a retribution for his actions that harmed others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Many share the sentiment that the government is targeting the Ultras in order to put them in their place as a retribution for their displays of strength since the revolution.

Vice

"Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen carried out the airborne operation as a retribution for the crimes committed by the coalition of Western crusaders and their intelligence agencies against the Muslims of Somalia," the statement said.

Vice

One of them wields a Saint Maurice Spear (one of the objects with the claim to be the Spear of Destiny), which according to historian of art Jarosław Krawczyk implies that Matejko saw Jungignen's death as a retribution for taking arms against another Christian ruler.

Wikipedia

Participants acknowledged it as a retribution for the investment made in their training and also as an opportunity for gaining professional experience in remote areas.

Human Resources for Health

"I know that we have to work with poor communities, as a retribution… But at the same time, each community has its own culture, then you can learn a lot from them, you discover local health problems…".

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

As the paths of these characters converge, Bohjalian works to flesh out their disparate views of the conflagration, from the Prussians who can't understand why the Soviets are committing atrocities (while attributing all German atrocities to "SS brutes and thugs") to Uri, who sees the refugees as "fleeing a retribution they had asked for".

The New York Times - Books

No doubt, too, others will regard any attempt to deport her as harsh retribution — "a victim being revictimized," in the words of Aileen Josephs, an immigration lawyer in West Palm Beach, Fla., who reached out to Mr. Thompson on Tuesday.

The New York Times

In tragedy, reversals are usually punishment for hubris, and there are clues, in the History, that Sicily is to be seen as a grand retribution for the policies of which the Melian slaughter stands as the great symbol.

The New Yorker

For 20 minutes, the 45,406 people at the Metrodome believed a rout was in the offing, as well as a little retribution for the Terrapins, who had lost two games to the Blue Devils in heart-breaking fashion.

The New York Times - Sports

It was yet another sign that France had fallen out of love with its team on that shameful night in St Denis; every setback was and would be perceived as a deserved retribution for cheating Ireland out of a place in the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

As a principle, retribution grounds but does not specify the exact punishment.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a retribution", ensure the context clearly establishes the initial wrongdoing or offense that warrants the consequence.

Common error

Be careful not to use "as a retribution" when simply describing an act of revenge driven by personal anger. Retribution implies a sense of justice or deserved consequence, whereas revenge may be purely vindictive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a retribution" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the reason or justification for an action. Ludwig examples show it describes actions taken in response to prior offenses.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a retribution" serves to explain a consequence or action as a deserved response to a prior offense. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct, though relatively rare. Its use is appropriate in contexts where a measured tone is required, such as news reporting or academic discussions. When using "as a retribution", ensure the context establishes the wrongdoing and that the consequence isn't disproportionate, avoiding confusion with simple revenge. Alternatives such as "as a punishment" or "in retaliation" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a punishment

Replaces "retribution" with a more general term for penalty or consequence.

in retaliation

Focuses on the act of revenge or counter-attack.

as a consequence

Highlights the result or effect of an action.

as a payback

Emphasizes the idea of getting even or settling a score.

as a reprisal

Suggests an act of retaliation, often in a political or military context.

by way of revenge

More explicitly states the intention to exact revenge.

in recompense

Implies compensation or repayment for a wrong.

as a form of vengeance

Stronger emphasis on the vengeful aspect.

as a just desert

Focuses on the deservedness of the consequence.

to settle the score

An idiomatic way of expressing the idea of getting even.

FAQs

How can I use "as a retribution" in a sentence?

You can use "as a retribution" to describe an action taken in response to a wrongdoing, implying it is a deserved consequence. For example, "The sanctions were imposed "as a retribution" for the country's violation of international law".

What are some alternatives to "as a retribution"?

Alternatives include "as a punishment", "in retaliation", or "as a consequence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "as a retribution"?

It is appropriate when the action is perceived as a fair or deserved consequence for a prior offense. However, avoid using it if the action is disproportionate or purely motivated by personal vengeance.

What is the difference between retribution and revenge?

Retribution implies a sense of justice or deserved consequence, often administered by an authority or based on ethical principles. Revenge is a personal act motivated by anger and a desire to inflict harm in return for a perceived wrong.