retaliate for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retaliate for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions taken in response to a perceived wrong or injury, often implying revenge or retribution. Example: "After the unfair treatment, she decided to retaliate for the insults she had received."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"They had to retaliate for their brothers".

The New York Times

It immediately vowed to retaliate for his death.

The Guardian

We must retaliate for the crimes of September 11.

The New York Times

India is now pondering how to retaliate for the terrorist attacks.

The Economist

"We will retaliate for any Israeli aggression next time," Mr. Assad said.

The New York Times

The U.S. military is preparing to retaliate for the Libyan attack.

The New York Times

He delivered his usual message: Do not shoot someone to retaliate for your friend's death.

The New Yorker

Mr Milosevic could retaliate, for example by stirring up trouble again in Bosnia's Serb Republic.

The Economist

There was a policy that "we will retaliate for every attack on our people".

The New York Times - Books

And what, really, can Fox News do to retaliate for Trump's announced departure?

The Guardian - Opinion

His cabinet was already meeting to decide how to retaliate for the attacks over the weekend.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. While "retaliate for" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "seek retribution for" or "avenge".

Common error

Avoid using "retaliate for" repetitively within a single piece of writing. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms or rephrasing sentences to maintain reader engagement and prevent the writing from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retaliate for" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating an action taken in response to a prior action, often with the intent of revenge or retribution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retaliate for" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe actions taken in response to a perceived wrong, often with a sense of revenge or retribution. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase serves to communicate an intention to respond to an offense with a similar or equivalent action. While suitable for various contexts, writers should be mindful of potential overuse and consider synonyms like "take revenge for" or "seek retribution for" to enhance clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take revenge for

Focuses on the act of exacting vengeance.

exact revenge for

Highlights the act of claiming vengeance.

seek retribution for

Emphasizes the pursuit of deserved punishment.

avenge

A more concise verb implying retribution for a wrong.

punish in retaliation for

Specifies the punitive nature of the response.

counterattack

Emphasis on aggressive action, as a direct response to an attack.

get back at

An informal way to express retaliation.

respond in kind to

Indicates a reciprocal action, often negative.

get even for

Implies a desire to equalize a perceived imbalance.

make someone pay for

Focuses on holding someone accountable.

FAQs

How can I use "retaliate for" in a sentence?

You can use "retaliate for" to describe an action taken in response to a perceived wrong. For example, "The country threatened to "retaliate for" the cyberattacks."

What are some alternatives to "retaliate for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "take revenge for", "seek retribution for", or simply "avenge" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "retaliate for" in formal writing?

While "retaliate for" is generally acceptable, in highly formal writing, consider using stronger or more precise alternatives like "seek retribution for", especially when emphasizing justice or deserved punishment.

Is "retaliate for" the same as "respond to"?

No, "respond to" is a more general term that simply means to react, while "retaliate for" specifically implies a response that is intended to inflict harm or punishment in return for a perceived wrong.