demand for retribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "demand for retribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals or groups are seeking justice or compensation for a perceived wrong or harm done to them. Example: "The community's demand for retribution grew stronger after the incident, as they sought accountability for the actions taken against them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But the left's demand for retribution, fired by rage at Bush and his administration, remains its central organizing principle.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it faces elections soon, with the threat to the governing party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu coming from the right — where demand for retribution against the Palestinians is high — rather than the center-left, which is weak and fractured.

The New York Times

The commission insists it is not responding to the "public demand for retribution" after the 2008 banking crisis but says a new law is needed "to correct the unbalanced incentives that pervade banking".

The Guardian - Business

As a result, analysts say, the transitional government's willingness to prosecute them vigorously may say more about its desire to appease the public's demand for retribution against the former leadership than it does about the more delicate question of the military's stance toward Mr. Mubarak's trial.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Those implicated in wartime atrocities hope the trial will satisfy victims' demands for retribution.

The New York Times

Whatever happens, the Préval government and the courts must resist political passions and demands for retribution.

The New York Times

The notion of magistrates seeming to respond to demands for retribution from politicians and police officers raised broad concerns among those cleaving to other definitions of justice.

The New York Times

The verdict spared the defendant, Steven D. Green, death for a crime that prompted Iraqi demands for retribution and raised questions about Army oversight of its combat-stressed forces.

The New York Times

In Union Square Park, which has become an outdoor memorial to loss and grief, peace signs, antiwar slogans and pleas for nonviolence far outnumber demands for retribution.

The New York Times

The coup plotters killed 248 people, according to the presidency, and Erdoğan has said there are strong public demands for retribution, even extending to reimposing the death penalty.

The Guardian

If Big Tobacco succeeds in wrenching £11bn worth of taxpayers' money from schools and hospitals, they may find public anger – and demands for retribution – rather hard to ignore.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "demand for retribution", consider the context. It often implies a strong emotional response to perceived injustice and should be used when that intensity is present.

Common error

Avoid using "demand for retribution" when the desired outcome is simply fairness or accountability. Retribution carries a connotation of revenge, which might not always be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demand for retribution" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of requiring punishment or compensation for a perceived wrong. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Opinion

12%

Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "demand for retribution" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that expresses a strong desire for punishment or revenge in response to a perceived wrong. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in varied contexts, predominantly in news and media. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to consider its connotations of revenge, making it potentially unsuitable when a neutral call for justice is intended. Related phrases include "call for revenge", "plea for vengeance", and "cry for justice", each offering slightly different nuances. While "demand for retribution" is mostly correct, it appears to be used rarely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call for revenge

Focuses specifically on the aspect of revenge, implying a more emotional response than simple justice.

plea for vengeance

Emphasizes a desperate request for vengeance, highlighting the emotional intensity.

quest for vengeance

Suggests a long and determined pursuit of revenge.

insistence on payback

Highlights the firm and persistent nature of the demand for retribution.

cry for justice

Emphasizes the desire for fairness and righteousness, potentially less focused on personal revenge.

pursuit of justice

Similar to "cry for justice" but emphasizes the active process of seeking justice.

claim for compensation

Highlights the desire for restitution or amends for a wrong.

push for accountability

Emphasizes holding individuals or organizations responsible for their actions.

yearning for requital

Implies a deep longing for a deserved repayment, often in kind.

need for atonement

Focuses on the offender making amends for their wrongdoing.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "demand for retribution"?

The phrase "demand for retribution" signifies a strong call for punishment or revenge in response to a perceived wrong or injustice. It implies a desire for the offender to suffer consequences proportionate to the harm they caused.

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

You can use it in a sentence like: "The public's "demand for retribution" grew after the politician's corrupt actions were exposed."

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

You can use alternatives like "call for revenge", "plea for vengeance", or "cry for justice" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "demand for retribution" and "demand for justice"?

"Demand for retribution" implies a specific desire for punishment and revenge, while "demand for justice" is a broader term encompassing fairness, accountability, and righting wrongs, which may not necessarily involve punishment.