Synonyms of retaliate

retaliate

verb

ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt 

as in to avenge

to punish in kind the wrongdoer responsible for

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• avenge
• revenge
• punish
• redress
• requite
• get even (for)
• venge
• penalize
• chastise
• repay
• castigate
• compensate
• correct
• right
• discipline
• scourge
• pay (back)
• fix
• chasten
• get
• recompense

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forgive
• excuse
• pardon
• remit
• condone
• absolve

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb retaliate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of retaliate are reciprocate, requite, and return. While all these words mean "to give back usually in kind or in quantity," retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully.

the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners

When is reciprocate a more appropriate choice than retaliate?

While in some cases nearly identical to retaliate, 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

Where would requite be a reasonable alternative to retaliate?

While the synonyms requite and retaliate are close in meaning, requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently.

requited her love with cold indifference

When could return be used to replace retaliate?

The words return and retaliate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, return implies a paying or giving back.

returned their call

return good for evil

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retaliate

President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on imports from Mexico, China and Canada, all of which have retaliated with levies of their own. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2025

European alcohol stocks are sinking after President Donald Trump threatened to retaliate against a new tariff on American alcohol with his own massive duties. —William Gavin, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025

Trump has left in place a 20-percent tariff on Chinese imports, leading China to retaliate with two tranches of tariffs on U.S. energy products, farm equipment and other goods. —Tobias Burns, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025

This temporary suspension was welcome, but now the tariffs are back and Canada is retaliating with tariffs on over $30 billion worth of U.S. goods such as orange juice, motorcycles, and cosmetics. —Adam A. Millsap, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025