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

Amazon also often posts anti-union literature at warehouses attempting to unionize, and has been accused of retaliating against or firing union leaders at specific warehouses. —Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2024

Prosecutors also pointed out that Young has advocated for retaliating against those involved in prosecutions stemming from the Capitol riot. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

No matter how Washington proceeds, economic disruption is inevitable, and China will surely retaliate. —Daniel H. Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024

Although Branch did not elaborate on the misconduct allegations, last month CKP Insurance — the administrator for the Nation’s Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Program — was accused by the Navajo Nation Council of retaliating against the decision to not renew their contract for 2025. —Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 17 Dec. 2024

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

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