in retaliation for

USAGE SUMMARY

"in retaliation for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing a response to something, such as an action or event. For example: He destroyed her laptop in retaliation for her refusing to go out with him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Last year, it attacked PayPal in retaliation for its blocking of donations to WikiLeaks and invaded Sony's PlayStation Network in retaliation for lawsuits against PlayStation hackers.

The New York Times

Iran, meanwhile, threatened to boycott South Korean cars and electronics in retaliation for any new sanctions.

The New York Times

Some think that this recent skirmish is in retaliation for foreign powers' attacking Chinese firms abroad.

The Economist

He said he believed the attack was in retaliation for his support of Weberman's victim.

Independent

In retaliation for that arrest, Libya had taken at least two Swiss business executives into custody.

The New York Times

In November, Anonymous began attacks against Israeli sites in retaliation for Israeli military strikes on Hamas.

The New York Times - Tech

Past massacres of civilians in retaliation for soldier deaths have passed largely with impunity.

The New York Times

The strikes came in retaliation for a rocket and mortar barrage launched into Israel on Thursday.

The New York Times

The Pakistani Taliban claimed they did it in retaliation for the killing of Osama bin Laden.

The Economist

The kidnappings are thought to be in retaliation for the recent French intervention in Mali.

Independent

Lawyers for Louisville said that Banker was fired for underperformance, not in retaliation for her complaints.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone. "In retaliation for" can sound accusatory or aggressive. If a more neutral tone is desired, use alternatives like "in response to" or "as a consequence of".

Common error

Avoid implying that any response is automatically "in retaliation for" something without a clear, direct link between the two. Overusing the phrase for any reaction weakens its meaning and can make your writing seem biased or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in retaliation for" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the reason or motive behind an action. Ludwig confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in retaliation for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that an action is a direct response to a previous action, typically with the intent of revenge or punishment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It appears most frequently in News & Media, with neutral tonality. When writing, ensure the retaliatory action and its cause are clearly linked, and consider whether a more neutral phrase like "in response to" might be more appropriate. The phrase serves as an adverbial, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the motive behind actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in response to

A more general term, it indicates a reaction to something without necessarily implying revenge or punishment.

as payback for

This alternative emphasizes the element of revenge or settling a score.

as retribution for

This alternative suggests a formal or legal punishment in response to a wrongdoing.

as a countermeasure to

This alternative suggests a more strategic and calculated response, framing the action as a deliberate step to neutralize a threat or action.

as a consequence of

This phrase highlights the cause-and-effect relationship, focusing on the result of a prior action.

to get even for

This is an informal way of saying to seek revenge or to reciprocate a harm.

because of

A general causal phrase that is less specific about the nature of the response.

to avenge

This phrase emphasizes the desire for revenge as the primary motivation.

on account of

This phrase expresses the reason or cause of something. It's more formal and less direct than "in retaliation for".

due to

This is a direct causal connector but lacks the element of intentional reciprocation present in "in retaliation for".

FAQs

How to use "in retaliation for" in a sentence?

Use "in retaliation for" to connect an action with a previous action that it is responding to. For example, "The company fired the employee in retaliation for reporting safety violations."

What can I say instead of "in retaliation for"?

You can use alternatives like "in response to", "as a consequence of", or "as payback for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "in retaliation for" or "in response to"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "In retaliation for" implies a direct act of revenge or punishment, while "in response to" is a more neutral term simply indicating a reaction.

What's the difference between "in retaliation for" and "as a result of"?

"In retaliation for" indicates that an action is specifically done to get back at someone for something they did, while "as a result of" is a broader phrase that shows a cause-and-effect relationship without necessarily implying revenge or punishment.