as retribution for

USAGE SUMMARY

'as retribution for' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is being done as punishment for an offense. For example, "The criminal was sentenced to five years in prison as retribution for his burglary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Her death in 2006 was widely viewed as retribution for her work.

The New York Times

The move is widely seen as retribution for the "Fix Albany" campaign.

The New York Times

Partly as retribution for the Utah Expedition, Young decided that the Mormons would sit out the Civil War.

The New York Times

Mr. Wilson has suggested that the White House might have leaked his wife's name as retribution for his criticism.

The New York Times

I've seen names get crossed off Maxine's invite list as retribution for a perceived snub at the supermarket.

The New Yorker

Hearst owes Circle something as retribution for Maine Monument, for erection of which newspaper campaigns were responsible.

The New Yorker

He asserts that government officials conspired to ruin him as retribution for his publicly blaming the city for costly overruns, chiefly on the Fourth Street Bridge.

The New York Times

Instead, she said at a press conference in Orlando, Fla., on Tuesday, her son had been targeted as retribution for his well-known stance against hazing.

The New York Times

It armed paramilitary units that battled the Zapatistas and their supporters, frequently attacking civilians as retribution for their support of the rebels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is more likely that the next attacks, when they come, will instead simply be relabelled as retribution for Mr bin Laden's death.

The Economist

He said the attack was meant as retribution for the slaughter of Muslims during the Russian conquest of the Caucasus in the 19th century.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as retribution for" when you want to clearly indicate that an action is being taken specifically as a form of punishment or payback for a prior offense. This phrase adds a layer of intentionality and justice to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "as retribution for" when simply describing a consequence. "Retribution" implies a deliberate act of punishment, not just any negative outcome. For example, collapsing from exhaustion after running a marathon is a consequence, not something that happens "as retribution for" running.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as retribution for" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the reason or cause behind an action. It specifies that something is done in response to, and as a form of punishment for, a prior offense or wrongdoing, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as retribution for" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action is being taken as a form of punishment or payback for a prior offense. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "in retaliation for" and "as punishment for" exist, "as retribution for" specifically highlights the intent behind the action. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a deliberate act of punishment rather than a mere consequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in retaliation for

Emphasizes direct action taken in response to an offense, highlighting the act of retaliation.

as punishment for

Focuses on the punitive aspect, emphasizing the infliction of penalties for wrongdoing.

in reprisal for

Highlights the act of taking countermeasures in response to an action.

as revenge for

Implies a personal motivation for seeking retribution, driven by a desire for vengeance.

to avenge

Directly relates to the act of taking vengeance for something. It's more succinct.

as a consequence of

Highlights that the action is a direct result of a previous offense. It's more neutral in tone.

due to

Indicates causality and a cause-and-effect relationship between an action and its response.

because of

Similar to "due to", it stresses the cause of an event without necessarily implying punishment.

in response to

Focuses on reaction of something.

on account of

Similar to "because of", it is used when providing an explanation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "as retribution for" is used to show that an action is a form of punishment or payback. For example, "The city was fined "as retribution for" polluting the river".

What can I say instead of "as retribution for"?

You can use alternatives like "in retaliation for", "as punishment for", or "in reprisal for" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "as retribution for" in formal writing?

Yes, "as retribution for" is appropriate for formal writing. While it clearly indicates a punitive response, the phrase itself is grammatically correct and understood in professional contexts, as confirmed by its presence in news and media articles.

What's the difference between "as retribution for" and "as a consequence of"?

"As retribution for" implies a deliberate action intended as punishment or payback, whereas "as a consequence of" simply indicates a result or outcome, without necessarily implying intent.