looking for revenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking for revenge" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a person who seeks to harm another person in response to a perceived wrong. For example: "After his business partner betrayed him, he started looking for revenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The lush-looking Tieta has an abundance of earthy humor and, refreshingly, is not looking for revenge but rather love, something she does not easily admit to herself.

Los Angeles Times

They are looking for revenge.

The New York Times

"We're looking for revenge".

The New York Times

Was she looking for revenge?

The Guardian

Hardliners on both sides are still looking for revenge.

The Economist

"I think this is just another person looking for revenge".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Like the fans we will be looking for revenge.

The Guardian - Sport

Cairns was not exactly looking for revenge, either.

The New York Times - Sports

But he's back now, and no doubt looking for revenge.

The Guardian - Sport

Kofi Kingston is out looking for revenge for the beating he took last week.

Independent

A few hours later, Brockington and Cartagena went to the Grant Houses looking for revenge.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, consider using "looking for revenge" to characterize a character's motivations, adding depth and complexity to their actions.

Common error

Avoid using "looking for revenge" when the appropriate term is seeking justice. Revenge implies a personal, often disproportionate response, while justice aims for fairness and legal redress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking for revenge" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger sentence to describe someone's intent or action. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this expression and offers numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking for revenge" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of seeking retaliation for a perceived wrong. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, indicates its frequent use across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While the concept of revenge carries strong emotions, the phrase itself maintains a neutral register, effectively conveying the intent to retaliate without necessarily endorsing the action. It is important to differentiate revenge from justice, as revenge implies a personal and often disproportionate response, while justice aims for fairness and legal redress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking revenge

A more direct and active way of saying "looking for revenge".

out for revenge

Implies an active and determined pursuit of retaliation.

seeking vengeance

Emphasizes a more formal and often grand-scale pursuit of retribution.

avenging

Implies a righteous or justifiable act of retaliation.

plotting revenge

Suggests a careful and calculated plan to inflict harm.

getting even

Indicates a desire to settle a score or balance a wrong.

settling the score

Similar to 'getting even', but suggests a more definitive resolution.

retaliating

Focuses on the act of responding to an attack or injury, often in a similar manner.

pursuing retribution

Highlights the legal or moral justification for seeking revenge.

vengeful

Describing the intention of pursuing vengeance.

FAQs

How to use "looking for revenge" in a sentence?

You can use "looking for revenge" to describe someone who wants to retaliate for a perceived wrong. For example, "After the betrayal, he was "looking for revenge"."

What can I say instead of "looking for revenge"?

You can use alternatives like "seeking vengeance", "out for revenge", or "plotting revenge" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "looking for revenge" or "seeking for revenge"?

"Looking for revenge" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Seeking revenge" is also correct, but "seeking for revenge" is grammatically awkward.

What's the difference between "looking for revenge" and "getting even"?

"Looking for revenge" implies a broader, more active pursuit of retaliation, while "getting even" suggests a more specific act of balancing a wrong, often in a tit-for-tat manner.