as in revenge
the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury
police believe that the murder was in retaliation for an earlier gangland execution
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Recent Examples of retaliation
In a follow-up email the next day, the judge speculated to Pryor that the law clerk may have invented things in retaliation for being required to work in the office.
—
CBS News, 15 June 2026
The Big 12 cites cases where government threats of retaliation, including prosecution and legal harassment, constitute an infringement of the freedom of association.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026
The judge determined in a ruling at the time that Lively would be allowed to pursue certain claims of retaliation against Baldoni's public relations team over alleged harm to her reputation.
—Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 15 June 2026
Courts are also deciding lawsuits over whether workers were illegally fired in retaliation for doing their jobs under previous administrations.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 14 June 2026
The workers provided documentation and spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation and to protect the ongoing investigation.
—Arkansas Online, 13 June 2026
Joslin can challenge their termination through the Civil Service Reform Act, which protects federal employees from unfair practices and political retaliation, according to Thurston.
—Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Lacrosse parents pushed for accountability, and there is a perception in town that Blake acted here out of animus and retaliation against the team.
—Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
However, according to our survey, nearly 80% of employees don't go through any kind of accommodation request process, stating concerns about retaliation or active discouragement from leadership.
—Seth Turner, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
CBS News, 15 June 2026
The Big 12 cites cases where government threats of retaliation, including prosecution and legal harassment, constitute an infringement of the freedom of association.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026
The judge determined in a ruling at the time that Lively would be allowed to pursue certain claims of retaliation against Baldoni's public relations team over alleged harm to her reputation.
—Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 15 June 2026
Courts are also deciding lawsuits over whether workers were illegally fired in retaliation for doing their jobs under previous administrations.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 14 June 2026
The workers provided documentation and spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation and to protect the ongoing investigation.
—Arkansas Online, 13 June 2026
Joslin can challenge their termination through the Civil Service Reform Act, which protects federal employees from unfair practices and political retaliation, according to Thurston.
—Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Lacrosse parents pushed for accountability, and there is a perception in town that Blake acted here out of animus and retaliation against the team.
—Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
However, according to our survey, nearly 80% of employees don't go through any kind of accommodation request process, stating concerns about retaliation or active discouragement from leadership.
—Seth Turner, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliation
Noun
-
After leaving rehab early and returning to South Texas, Beulah's son, Rob-Will Jackson (Jai Courtney), encourages Chet to get revenge for being fired from 10 Petal.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
-
His pain turns to hatred, and with that, an intense urge for revenge.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
This appears to be part of a broader campaign of retribution, following investigations involving former FBI Director James Comey and others.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
15 June 2026
-
The activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of government retribution and arrest, said Min Zin had visited China multiple times before.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliation. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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