as retaliation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as retaliation for" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to explain the reason or motivation behind an action that is taken as revenge or payback for something that was done to the speaker. Example: The company's decision to lay off employees was seen as retaliation for the workers' recent strike for better wages and benefits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some have interpreted this as retaliation for the new restrictions.

The Guardian

The Kremlin halted adoptions as retaliation for the Magnitsky Act.

The Washington Post

She portrayed the unsubstantiated charges of sexual affairs as retaliation for taking on special interests.

The New York Times

Al-Shabaab claimed the attack as retaliation for Ugandan troops' participation in AMISOM.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I believe this attack came as retaliation for his attempts to eliminate their influence".

The New York Times

What's more, the Obama administration designed its sanctions against Russia as retaliation for election interference.

The Washington Post

But Mr. Minsker added that the sexual harassment claims "were asserted purely as retaliation for the termination of their employment".

The New York Times

Harvick admittedly wrecked Busch on purpose late in last season's finale at Homestead as retaliation for earlier contact.

The New York Times - Sports

That attack was claimed as retaliation for bin Laden's death, but such strikes have grown dismally common.

The Economist

He said he saw the attacks as retaliation for last week's bombing in a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut.

The New York Times

Those, in turn, were seen as retaliation for Israel's helicopter assassination of Hizbullah leader Abbas al-Musawi.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as retaliation for", ensure the action being retaliated against is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "as retaliation for" when the response is disproportionate to the initial action. Retaliation should generally be similar in scope and impact to the original offense; otherwise, the phrase may be perceived as an exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as retaliation for" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the reason or motive behind an action. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct, and the examples show it explains an action done in response to a prior offense. This indicates a causal relationship where one action is a direct consequence of another, motivated by revenge or payback.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

91%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as retaliation for" serves as a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action is taken as a direct response to a perceived wrong, with the intention of revenge or payback. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples illustrate its common use in news and media to explain actions motivated by retribution. While grammatically sound, it is important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that the retaliatory action is proportionate to the initial offense. Alternatives like "in response to" or "in reprisal for" can provide a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in reprisal for

Emphasizes a forceful or aggressive response to an offense.

in retribution for

Implies a morally justified punishment or vengeance.

in response to

Focuses on the action being a direct answer or reaction, without necessarily implying revenge.

as payback for

Highlights the idea of getting even or settling a score.

to avenge

Focuses on taking vengeance for a wrong done to oneself or others.

to get back at

A more informal way of expressing a desire for revenge.

as a consequence of

Indicates that an action is a result or effect of a previous action, with a slightly more neutral tone.

because of

A general way of indicating causality, without necessarily implying revenge.

on account of

Similar to 'because of', suggesting a reason or explanation for something.

in the wake of

Describes an action that follows closely after another, often as a result.

FAQs

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

You can use "as retaliation for" to indicate that an action is being taken in response to a previous offense. For example, "The sanctions were imposed "as retaliation for" the cyberattacks."

What are some alternatives to using "as retaliation for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "in response to", "in reprisal for", or "as payback for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "as retaliation for"?

Using "as retaliation for" can be suitable in many scenarios, but it is important to consider the context and tone. It can be seen as accusatory, so make sure it accurately reflects the situation.

What's the difference between "as retaliation for" and "because of"?

"As retaliation for" implies a direct response to a perceived wrong, with the intention of revenge or payback. "Because of" is a more general term indicating causality, without necessarily implying intent or retribution. They're related but not interchangeable.