set on retaliation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set on retaliation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a person's intention or determination to respond to an action or offense with revenge or punishment. Example: "After the unfair treatment he received, he was set on retaliation against those who wronged him."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But a senior Syrian army source told Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency on August 27th that, "If Syria is attacked, Israel will also be set on fire…not just by Damascus and its allies in retaliation, but by extremist groups".

The Economist

"The U.S. made its trade sanctions even more onerous on Europe by pinpointing certain countries and having a constantly changing set of retaliation, spreading the pain more broadly," said Richard Cunningham, a trade lawyer at Steptoe & Johnson.

The New York Times

Just over three weeks ago, a Boko Haram bomb attack that killed a soldier set off deadly retaliation from enraged security forces.

The New York Times

The move led to a rival grouping of Latin American bishops being set up in retaliation to the Global South meeting.

The Guardian

"Maybe people set fires in retaliation for the work we do in the summertime destroying their marijuana crops".

The New York Times

The arbitrators relied on the trade effects' formula, which sets the retaliation limit as equivalent to the perceived loss of export revenue from the WTO violation.

Duke University

The increasingly aggressive diplomatic moves came after the Saudi embassy in Tehran was ransacked and set alight on Saturday in retaliation for Riyadh ordering the execution of Sheikh Nimr, a Shia cleric, and 46 others.

Independent

Trump had set a path toward retaliation immediately after last Saturday's reports of a chemical attack.

Huffington Post

Non-Retaliation Policy Statement on the University prohibition on retaliation against those who report or seek guidance on ethical or compliance issues.

Columbia University

The EEOC gives further guidance on retaliation issues at Questions and Answers: Enforcement Guidance on Retaliation and Related Issues and at Facts About Retaliation.

Forbes

Instead, Caswick focused on retaliation.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set on retaliation" to express a firm decision to respond aggressively to a perceived wrong. Ensure the context clearly supports such a strong intention.

Common error

Avoid using "set on retaliation" when a milder response is more appropriate. This phrase conveys a strong sense of determination and potential aggression; choose a more neutral term if the situation doesn't warrant such intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set on retaliation" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of being determined or resolved to seek revenge or retribution. The lack of examples in Ludwig suggests it's not a commonly used phrase, but its meaning is clear and understandable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "set on retaliation" is not frequently used, as indicated by its absence in Ludwig's examples. It conveys a strong intent to retaliate and is best suited for contexts where such determination is clearly warranted. Be mindful of the intensity the phrase suggests and choose a more neutral term if a milder response is more appropriate. While syntactically valid, more common alternatives like "bent on revenge" or "intent on reprisal" might be preferable in certain situations. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase but suggests considering the context carefully due to its strong connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolved to retaliate

Focuses on the firm decision to take retaliatory action.

committed to retaliation

Emphasizes dedication and a strong resolve to retaliate.

bent on revenge

Changes the focus from a general act of retaliation to the specific emotion of revenge.

fixed on revenge

Similar to "bent on revenge" but with a slightly different nuance.

out for vengeance

Emphasizes the active pursuit of vengeance.

intent on reprisal

Uses a more formal and less common term, "reprisal", for retaliation.

determined to avenge

Shifts the focus to avenging a wrong, implying a personal motivation.

seeking retribution

Highlights the pursuit of justice or repayment for a wrong.

aiming for revenge

Changes the structure from a fixed state to an action-oriented phrase.

planning revenge

Highlights the planning aspect of seeking revenge.

FAQs

How can I use "set on retaliation" in a sentence?

You can use "set on retaliation" to describe someone's strong intention to retaliate. For example, "After the betrayal, he was set on retaliation."

What phrases are similar to "set on retaliation"?

Similar phrases include "bent on revenge", "intent on reprisal", and "determined to avenge".

Is "set on retaliation" a formal or informal expression?

"Set on retaliation" leans towards a more neutral register, suitable for news or general contexts, but can be adapted depending on the surrounding vocabulary.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "set on retaliation"?

Use "set on retaliation" when you want to emphasize a strong, unwavering resolve to retaliate against a perceived wrong or injustice. Be mindful of the intensity it conveys.