retaliation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retaliation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an act of revenge or retribution against someone for a perceived wrong or injury. Example: "The company's decision to terminate the employee was seen as retaliation for whistleblowing on unethical practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fear of retaliation and death threats from radical Islamists have forced some cartoonists into exile, according to the report, Drawing the line: cartoonists under threat.

The Guardian

"Spitting is universally recognised as perhaps the ultimate degradation and it's bound to result in rather aggressive retaliation," mused the consultant psychologist Dr Aric Sigman years later, in some nostalgia-based clip show or other.

The Guardian - Sport

Church was the only person who had been detained at the facility who agreed to talk with the Guardian: their lawyers say others fear police retaliation.

The Guardian

Not only must we be able to choose with whom we discuss politics, we must also be able to protect ourselves against retaliation for our expressions of political ideas.

The Guardian - Tech

"We've seen in the past, over and over again, how there's been a lot of retaliation by the LRA, the burning of villages, maiming people, a lot of killings, with little military success".

The Guardian

A crack team of old-school yellow journalists should be deployed to dig up everything knowable about the owners, editors and political correspondents of the newspapers, along with the Tory frontbench, to be kept for retaliation and/or pre-emption.

The Guardian

Ablyatifov fled to Lviv because he was afraid of retaliation for his active support of the Euromaidan protests in Kiev after security services followed him and tried to arrest him, he said.

The Guardian

"Warner may just be the one who gets pinned by someone in retaliation.

The Guardian - Sport

The campaigners, who include many current Walmart workers as well as former employees and members of the alliance Our Walmart, are demanding wages of at least $25,000, more full-time openings and an end to retaliation against workers who speak out about their conditions.

The Guardian

The trade union movement threatened retaliation against the government, but Thatcher met the threat by ignoring them and by tightening the screws.

The Guardian

But I suspect it was simply an insult, perhaps in retaliation for Miliband's mild earlier gibe at Paxman's importance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retaliation" to describe a response that is directly related to a previous action, often with the intent of causing harm or disadvantage. Ensure the connection between the actions is clear in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "retaliation" interchangeably with terms like "revenge" or "retribution" without considering the nuance. "Retaliation" often implies a direct, tit-for-tat response, while "revenge" can be more personal and "retribution" suggests a justified punishment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "retaliation" is as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the act of responding to an action, usually with a harmful or punitive measure. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts, such as legal, political, and personal situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retaliation" functions as a noun to describe a response, often punitive, to a perceived wrong. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, particularly news, business, and general discussions. While synonyms like "revenge" and "reprisal" exist, "retaliation" carries a specific connotation of a direct, often proportional, response. Understanding its nuances and common usage errors will enhance clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reprisal

A more formal synonym for "retaliation", often used in political or military contexts.

revenge

Implies a more personal and emotional motivation than "retaliation".

counterattack

Specifically refers to a military response to an attack.

countermeasure

Suggests a defensive action taken in response to a threat or attack.

payback

An informal term for "retaliation", often implying a sense of satisfaction or justice.

requital

A formal term referring to returning either good or bad, but often used for negative actions in response to a wrong.

retribution

Implies a more formal and just punishment than simple "retaliation".

counter-violence

Highlights the violent nature of the response to an initial act of violence.

disciplinary action

Suggests a more measured and official response, especially within an organization.

vindictive action

Emphasizes the malicious or spiteful nature of the response.

FAQs

How is "retaliation" used in a sentence?

"Retaliation" is typically used to describe an action taken in response to a perceived wrong or harm. For example, "The company feared "retaliation" from competitors after launching its innovative product."

What are some synonyms for "retaliation"?

Synonyms for "retaliation" include "reprisal", "revenge", and "retribution". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "retaliation" always negative?

While "retaliation" often carries a negative connotation due to its association with harm or punishment, it can also be used in a neutral or even justifiable context, such as in response to an act of aggression or injustice.

What's the difference between "retaliation" and "revenge"?

"Retaliation" generally refers to a direct response to an action, often with a similar action in return. "Revenge", on the other hand, often implies a more personal and emotional motivation, with the intent to inflict harm or suffering on the wrongdoer. The term "revenge" suggests a longer duration and stronger emotional component.