exact retribution for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exact retribution for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the concept of receiving a precise or specific form of punishment or compensation for an action or wrongdoing. Example: "The court aimed to deliver exact retribution for the crimes committed against the victims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Does she know how many people hide behind "advocacy" to exact retribution for personal and political wounds?

The New York Times

The play told of four Victorian army deserters arriving in a northern mining town to exact retribution for an act of colonial violence.

The Guardian

And if Les Fennecs do exact retribution for Gijón, what fans and players would like is a chance to contest an even bigger grudge match: against France.

The Guardian - Sport

The true motive of the death penalty hardly seems a mystery: it's not to deter crime or to wreak vengeance, but to exact retribution for horrific crimes.

The New York Times - Books

But, as the Greek economic commentator Nick Malkoutzis pointed out earlier this week, it almost seems as though some prominent E.U. leaders are determined to exact retribution for uppity behavior by Tsipras and, especially, Varoufakis.

The New Yorker

His challenge led to the court findings that general warrants as hitherto used by government against the press were illegal, and he effectively destroyed the power of the Houses of Parliament to exact retribution for the reporting of parliamentary debates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I see the dead exacting retribution for the way we've treated the earth, and them," Mr. Sturma said.

The New York Times - Books

The Senate Democrats said the rules would muzzle them and further close deliberations to public scrutiny, and they accused the Republicans of exacting retribution for their heightened activism.

The New York Times

(Golden is something of an avenger, exacting retribution for too much wealth and status by dishing about every rich and famous father's kid's lackluster SAT scores).

The New York Times - Books

The supposed mistreatment of family members as a method of exacting retribution for speech deemed unfavorable to the government has also been reported by in Syria, where expatriate activists say their family members back home have faced threats and physical abuse at the hands of the Syrian authorities for their antigovernment activities abroad.

The New York Times

If he can't defeat the bad guys who pose the threat of corporate terrorism, then he at least exacts retribution for the death of his love, Vesper Lynd (who died in Casino Royale).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exact retribution for" when you want to emphasize that the response is a direct and precise consequence of the action it follows. It implies a sense of justice or revenge that is carefully measured.

Common error

Avoid using "exact retribution for" in contexts where a general sense of justice or fairness is intended, rather than a specific, measured response. The phrase implies a calculated response, not a broad desire for good to prevail.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exact retribution for" is to act as a verbal phrase that describes the action of inflicting a specific form of punishment or exacting a specific penalty in response to a perceived wrong. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exact retribution for" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the act of inflicting a precise or specific form of punishment or exacting a specific penalty in response to a perceived wrong. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it's found in neutral contexts like News & Media and Encyclopedias, indicating a formal tone. When using this phrase, focus on situations where a deliberate and measured response is intended, rather than a general sense of justice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take vengeance for

Focuses on the act of taking vengeance, implying a personal act of retribution.

seek revenge for

Focuses on the act of seeking revenge, emphasizing the active pursuit of retribution.

avenge wrongdoing

Highlights the act of avenging, stressing the need to correct a wrong committed.

retaliate for an injustice

Highlights the act of retaliating and emphasizes that the retribution is for an injustice that occurred.

punish in retaliation for

Emphasizes the act of punishing as a direct response to a previous action.

administer justice for

Highlights the formal process of justice being served.

mete out punishment for

Focuses on the dispensing of punishment in response to an offense.

demand compensation for

Focuses on seeking compensation, often monetary, as a form of retribution.

get even for

An informal way of saying to retaliate for something.

settle the score for

Emphasizes resolving a grievance or evening the balance after a wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "exact retribution for" in a sentence?

You can use "exact retribution for" when describing a situation where someone is seeking a specific and measured form of punishment or compensation for a wrongdoing. For example: "The victim sought to exact retribution for the damages caused by the company's negligence."

What are some alternatives to "exact retribution for"?

Alternatives include "seek revenge for", "avenge wrongdoing", or "punish in retaliation for". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "seek retribution for" or "exact retribution for"?

"Seek retribution for" implies a pursuit of revenge or compensation, whereas "exact retribution for" suggests that the revenge or compensation is being carried out or achieved. The choice depends on whether the action is still being pursued or has already been accomplished.

What's the connotation of the phrase "exact retribution for"?

The phrase "exact retribution for" often carries a connotation of calculated revenge or justice. It implies a deliberate and measured response to a perceived wrong, which can range from formal legal proceedings to personal acts of vengeance.