dread of retaliation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dread of retaliation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings of fear or anxiety about potential consequences for one's actions, particularly in a context involving conflict or punishment. Example: "Many employees experience a dread of retaliation when considering whether to report unethical behavior in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Justice Stephen G. Breyer, writing for a unanimous court, quoted a 1949 decision from Judge Learned Hand to explain the reasoning behind that protection: "It has been thought in the end better to leave unredressed the wrongs done by dishonest officers than to subject those who try to do their duty to the constant dread of retaliation".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He said no one would dare speak out against the Tigers for dread of a severe retaliation.

The New York Times

I'm scared of retaliation.

The New York Times

"People are afraid of retaliation".

The New York Times

The fear of retaliation is well grounded.

The New Yorker

Patton talked about how victims of sexual assault in the military "perceive retaliation in the form of social retaliation, leadership retaliation, again, perceiving different forms of retaliation".

The New Yorker

This strategy also carries the risk of retaliation.

The New York Times

These sources asked to remain unnamed for fear of retaliation.

The New York Times

An aerial war could dramatically raise the threat of retaliation.

The Economist

Many victims' families never stepped forward, afraid of retaliation.

The New York Times

Other questions involve the dangers of retaliation.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider the strength of "dread" and assess if a less emotive term such as "concern" or "apprehension" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "dread of retaliation" when a more moderate term like "concern about feedback" would be more accurate. Overstating the fear can weaken your argument or seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dread of retaliation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. Ludwig shows that it expresses a state of fearing adverse consequences for one's actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dread of retaliation" is a noun phrase expressing a fear of negative consequences, commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used to explain hesitation in the face of potential repercussions. While synonyms like "fear of reprisal" or "apprehension about revenge" exist, the choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies who might retaliate and why. Overusing "dread" can weaken your message, so consider if a milder term is more appropriate. Understanding these nuances will ensure more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fear of reprisal

Replaces "retaliation" with the synonym "reprisal" while maintaining the core meaning of fearing negative consequences.

terror of vengeance

Uses stronger terms like "terror" and "vengeance" to emphasize the intensity of the fear and the severity of the potential retaliation.

apprehension about revenge

Substitutes "dread" with "apprehension" and "retaliation" with "revenge", focusing on the anticipation of vengeful actions.

foreboding regarding retribution

Employs "foreboding" to highlight a sense of impending doom and "retribution" to stress the punitive nature of the anticipated response.

anxiety over payback

Replaces "dread" with "anxiety" and "retaliation" with the more informal "payback", suggesting a worry about retribution.

intimidation by threat of revenge

Highlights the "intimidation" aspect caused by the "threat of revenge", shifting the focus to the psychological impact.

concern about getting even

Shifts the focus to the act of "getting even", implying a worry about someone seeking to balance a perceived wrong.

worry about punitive measures

Focuses on "punitive measures" as the source of worry, suggesting a fear of formal or official repercussions.

nervousness concerning repercussions

Replaces "dread" with "nervousness" to convey a less intense fear, and "repercussions" broadens the scope to include indirect effects.

unease about consequences

Broadens the scope to include any negative "consequences", not just direct retaliation, suggesting a more general fear of repercussions.

FAQs

How can the phrase "dread of retaliation" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "dread of retaliation" is used to express fear or anxiety about potential negative consequences following an action. For example: "Witnesses often remain silent due to a "dread of retaliation"."

What are some alternative ways to express "dread of retaliation"?

You can use alternatives like "fear of reprisal", "apprehension about revenge", or "anxiety over payback" depending on the specific context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "dread of retaliation"?

The phrase "dread of retaliation" is most appropriate in situations where there is a significant power imbalance or a history of negative consequences for speaking out or taking action. It's suitable when describing concerns about serious repercussions.

What's the difference between "dread of retaliation" and "fear of criticism"?

"Dread of retaliation" implies a fear of direct, often severe, consequences or revenge, while "fear of criticism" refers to a more general apprehension about negative feedback or judgment.