enforce retribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enforce retribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing justice, punishment, or consequences for wrongdoing. Example: "The court's decision was to enforce retribution against those who had committed the crimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

John Noble, director of the British Brands Group, says: "It's very difficult for suppliers, there is real fear a retailer might enforce retribution.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then, there are the various practices that enforce that conditioning: acid burning, retribution, honor killing, flogging, burying women alive, etc.

Huffington Post

The stories were also used to enforce moral standards, as they implied that the creatures took retribution for bad behaviour carried out on Sundays.

Wikipedia

Regulators must enforce it.

The New York Times

"We don't enforce.

The New York Times

"We enforce this strongly.

Forbes

Schools enforce rules inconsistently.

Science Magazine

Always enforce your rights.

WikiHow

The president should challenge the Congress to stand with workers and announce that he'll ensure that the laws we have that defend the rights of workers to organize without retribution will be enforced.

Huffington Post

Although public calls for retribution against members of the security forces continue, some people worry that police officers have become timid in enforcing the law since the detention of officers accused of using force under the orders, or the expectations, of the old government.

The New York Times

Katie enforces the thing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify who is enforcing and on whom the retribution is being enforced. For example, "The council will enforce retribution on those who violate the code of conduct."

Common error

Avoid using "enforce retribution" when the context implies personal revenge or an uncontrolled, emotional response. Retribution should be associated with justice or correction, not personal vendettas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enforce retribution" functions as a verb phrase where "enforce" is the verb and "retribution" is the noun acting as the direct object. It describes the act of implementing or ensuring that a deserved punishment is carried out. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "enforce retribution" is a grammatically sound but rarely used expression to describe the act of ensuring that deserved consequences are carried out. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English, often appearing in news and media contexts. While semantically related phrases like "administer punishment" or "impose penalty" can serve as alternatives, it's important to use "enforce retribution" when conveying a sense of justified and structured consequence rather than personal revenge. Remember, that retribution differs from revenge for its formal and measured tone. The best practice is to ensure clarity by specifying who enforces what and on whom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

administer punishment

This alternative focuses on the act of giving out a penalty.

exact revenge

This phrase emphasizes the retaliatory aspect of the action.

impose penalty

This option highlights the formal application of a consequence.

mete out justice

This alternative implies a balanced and fair dispensing of consequences.

apply sanctions

This choice suggests using official measures to enforce compliance.

carry out vengeance

This phrase emphasizes the execution of revenge.

implement consequences

This alternative focuses on the practical application of repercussions.

inflict punishment

This option highlights the act of causing someone to suffer a penalty.

deliver retribution

This alternative suggests a formal or dramatic handing down of consequences.

exercise punitive measures

This option focuses on the use of disciplinary actions.

FAQs

What does "enforce retribution" mean?

The phrase "enforce retribution" means to ensure that punishment or deserved consequences are carried out, often in response to wrongdoing.

How to use "enforce retribution" in a sentence?

You can use "enforce retribution" in sentences like: "The court decided to "administer punishment" and enforce retribution for the crimes committed."

What are some alternatives to "enforce retribution"?

Alternatives to "enforce retribution" include "administer punishment", "exact revenge", or "impose penalty" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "enforce retribution" the same as "seek revenge"?

"Enforce retribution" implies a structured, often institutional, process of applying consequences, while "seek revenge" suggests a more personal and potentially uncontrolled act of retaliation. They are not the same, although both refer to acting after harm is done, "enforce retribution" generally carries a sense of justice.