driven by revenge

USAGE SUMMARY

"driven by revenge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a motivation for a course of action, typically one taken out of malice or anger. For example, "He made a terrible mistake, driven by revenge against the person who wronged him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But I've learned that the writing I enjoy the best is not infused with malice or driven by revenge.

The New York Times - Arts

Driven by revenge, Maleficent places an irrevocable curse on the daughter of the invading human king's successor, Aurora, played by rising star Elle Fanning.

Independent

She denied leading the massacre but said her career of crime was driven by revenge for her rape by upper-caste men.

The New York Times

Yet she still struggles, as do others, to explain why "the new generation of jihadists appears to have descended into a nihilistic kind of violence," which is driven by revenge rather than by more tangible and political objectives.Of the two books, Ms Pargeter's work is the more nuanced and could well become a seminal work on Islamist radicalism in Europe.

The Economist

And look at us all now!" This is what joins the support of Trump's celebrities to the support of his dying white male masses: they are both driven by revenge, a desire to get back at a system that did – and still does – them wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

Yildirim said Turkey would respect the rule of law and not be driven by revenge in prosecuting suspected coup plotters.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

By the time the Harts' white van appeared, David had been offered a half-dozen rides; if the Harts had driven by without stopping, he might have later sought them out for revenge, torched their little piece of Paradise.

The New Yorker

What makes such a ceasefire difficult is the shabiha, recruited at tribal and community levels, as well as other opposition groups driven by Sunni revenge, or al-Qaida-formed ideology, and supported by regional powers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Classical economics assumes that people try to maximise their utility, whether that utility is driven by money, altruism, revenge, or whatever.

The Economist

It constantly reminds us of Hitchcock's own edge-of-the-seat tactics while leaving us in little doubt that he was driven by obscure sexual revenge.

The Guardian

Jessica told Kemp that her motivation for helping to rob her grandparents stemmed from this fight, that she was driven by "nothing but revenge".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driven by revenge" when the motivation is clearly about payback or retaliation. If the motivation is more complex, consider alternative phrases that reflect nuances beyond simple revenge.

Common error

Avoid using "driven by revenge" if the action is only partially motivated by revenge. Overstating the motivation can misrepresent the character's intentions and create a melodramatic tone. Be sure that revenge is, in fact, the primary driver and not a secondary influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by revenge" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing the motivation behind someone's actions. Ludwig examples show it's used to explain the underlying reason for a character's behavior or a group's actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "driven by revenge" is a prepositional phrase used to describe actions primarily motivated by a desire for retaliation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, it's essential to ensure that revenge is indeed the primary motivator to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like "motivated by vengeance" or "fueled by retribution" can offer nuanced variations of this concept. Usage examples from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian illustrate its application in analyzing characters and events shaped by a thirst for vengeance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by vengeance

This alternative emphasizes the underlying motivation as vengeance itself.

fueled by retribution

This option suggests that retribution is the driving force behind the actions.

consumed by the desire for revenge

This phrase highlights the intensity and all-encompassing nature of the desire.

acting out of vengeance

This alternative focuses on the act of vengeance as the primary cause.

seeking retribution

This emphasizes the active pursuit of retribution as the primary aim.

avenging past wrongs

This option emphasizes correcting injustice from the past as the primary goal.

retaliating against perpetrators

This emphasizes acting in response to harm done by perpetrators.

vengeance is their motive

This phrase shifts the structure to highlight vengeance as the core motive.

vengeful actions

This alternative is shorter and more direct, focusing on the quality of actions.

retaliatory measures

This option emphasizes measures taken in response or retaliation.

FAQs

How can I use "driven by revenge" in a sentence?

You can use "driven by revenge" to describe a character's or entity's primary motivation for their actions. For example, "The villain, driven by revenge, plotted against those who wronged him."

What are some alternatives to "driven by revenge"?

You can use alternatives such as "motivated by vengeance", "fueled by retribution", or "consumed by the desire for revenge" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "driven by revenge" in formal writing?

Yes, "driven by revenge" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when analyzing characters or historical events where revenge is a significant motivator. However, ensure the tone remains objective and analytical.

What is the difference between "driven by revenge" and "motivated by anger"?

"Driven by revenge" specifically implies a calculated and retaliatory response to a perceived wrong, while "motivated by anger" suggests a more immediate and potentially less planned reaction. Revenge focuses on payback, while anger encompasses a broader spectrum of emotional responses.