in revenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in revenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action taken as a response to a perceived wrong or injury. Example: "He acted in revenge for the betrayal he felt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Kikuyus murdering in revenge.

The New York Times

Tonight was a battle in revenge".

The New York Times - Sports

"I never believe in revenge," Nadal said.

The New York Times - Sports

Does she believe in revenge?

The Guardian - Books

I do believe in revenge.

The Guardian - Books

"I don't believe in revenge," Djokovic said.

The New York Times

But animals aren't interested in revenge.

The Guardian - Film

It is an exercise in revenge".

The New York Times

And it wasn't posted in revenge.

The Guardian

Sunnis shake at what the Shias might do in revenge.

The Economist

Rishawi was hanged in revenge the next day.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone you wish to convey. "In revenge" can sound quite dramatic or negative; alternatives like "in retaliation" might be more appropriate in formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in revenge" when simply describing a consequence, rather than a direct retaliatory action. Ensure a clear intent to 'get even' is present. For instance, saying "the team lost in revenge" is incorrect; a better phrasing is "the team lost as a consequence" if there's no intent to retaliate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in revenge" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the motive or reason behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in revenge" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action is performed as a direct response to a perceived wrong. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase serves as an adverbial modifier, clarifying the motivation behind an action. While it is broadly applicable, appearing in various contexts, it is most frequently found in News & Media sources. While synonyms like "in retaliation" or "as retribution" exist, "in revenge" often carries a stronger emotional charge. When using "in revenge", ensure that the context clearly establishes a cause-and-effect relationship with a prior offense to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in retaliation

This phrase is nearly synonymous, focusing on the act of returning an injury or wrong in a similar way.

for revenge

This alternative is a slightly simpler construction, but still conveys the same meaning.

by way of retaliation

This phrase is a more verbose and formal version of "in retaliation".

as retribution

This alternative uses a more formal noun to indicate payback or punishment for a wrong.

to exact retribution

This phrase is formal and emphasizes the act of imposing punishment.

out of vengeance

This alternative emphasizes the emotional aspect of seeking revenge.

as a form of reprisal

This more formal alternative indicates an act of retaliation, often in a political or military context.

to avenge

This uses a verb form to express the act of taking revenge.

as payback

This is a more informal way to describe revenge, suggesting a return of something, good or bad.

to get even

This idiomatic expression means to take revenge or retaliate.

FAQs

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

Use "in revenge" to describe an action taken as a direct response to a perceived wrong. For example, "The army attacked the city "in revenge" for the previous assault".

What are some alternatives to saying "in revenge"?

You can use alternatives like "as retribution", "in retaliation", or "out of vengeance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "in revenge" or "in retaliation"?

"In retaliation" is generally considered more formal than "in revenge". "In revenge" carries a stronger emotional connotation of seeking vengeance, while "in retaliation" is more neutral and suggests a direct response to an action.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "in revenge"?

It's appropriate when the primary motivation for an action is to 'get even' or retaliate against a perceived injustice or harm. Ensure the context clearly shows the retaliatory intent.