retaliate

verb

re·​tal·​i·​ate ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt 

retaliated; retaliating

intransitive verb

: to return like for like

especially : to get revenge

transitive verb

: to repay in kind

retaliate an injury

retaliation

ri-ˌta-lē-ˈā-shən 

ˌrē-

noun

retaliative

ri-ˈta-lē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

retaliatory

ri-ˈtal-yə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˈta-lē-ə-

adjective

Synonyms

• avenge
• redress
• requite
• revenge
• venge [archaic]

Choose the Right Synonym for retaliate

reciprocate, retaliate, requite, return mean to give back usually in kind or in quantity.

reciprocate implies a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what one has received.

reciprocated their hospitality by inviting them for a visit

retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully.

the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners

requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently.

requited her love with cold indifference

return implies a paying or giving back.

returned their call

return good for evil

Examples of retaliate in a Sentence

After the company announced plans to reduce benefits, the union threatened to retaliate by calling for a strike.

retaliated his neighbor's malicious destruction of his flower garden by cutting down the man's prize apple tree

Recent Examples on the Web

Maria Feck/Bloomberg via Getty Images President Donald Trump is planning to unveil reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday to retaliate against trade practices his administration deems unfair or discriminatory. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025

After drawing rebukes from multiple judges for failing to comply with their orders, Trump retaliated by calling for their impeachment, arguing that a mere district court should not constrain a President. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025

The Trump administration has announced new tariffs of 20% on all goods imported from China, and China has retaliated with pressure of its own. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025

WilmerHale's lawsuit said the White House is retaliating against it for representing the Democratic National Committee, the campaigns of Democratic politicians Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and for suing the administration this year over its firing of several inspectors general. —Carrie Johnson, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin retaliatus, past participle of retaliare, from Latin re- + talio legal retaliation

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for retaliate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

retaliate

verb

re·​tal·​i·​ate ri-ˈtal-ē-ˌāt 

retaliated; retaliating

: to return (as an injury) in kind : get revenge

retaliation

-ˌtal-ē-ˈā-shən 

noun

retaliatory

-ˈtal-yə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

Legal Definition

retaliate

intransitive verb

re·​tal·​i·​ate ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt 

retaliated; retaliating

: to act in revenge

retaliation

-ˌta-lē-ˈā-shən 

noun

retaliative

-ˈta-lē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

retaliatory

-ˈtal-yə-ˌtōr-ē 

adjective