retaliate

re·tal·i·ate

verb \ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt\

re·tal·i·at·edre·tal·i·at·ing

Definition of RETALIATE

transitive verb

: to repay (as an injury) in kind

intransitive verb

: to return like for like; especially : to get revenge

— re·tal·i·a·tion \ri-ˌta-lē-ˈā-shən, ˌrē-\ noun

— re·tal·i·a·tive \ri-ˈta-lē-ˌā-tiv\ adjective

— re·tal·ia·to·ry \-ˈtal-yə-ˌtȯr-ē, -ˈta-lē-ə-\ adjective

Examples of RETALIATE

1. After the company announced plans to reduce benefits, the union threatened to retaliate by calling for a strike.
2. <retaliated his neighbor's malicious destruction of his flower garden by cutting down the man's prize apple tree>

Origin of RETALIATE

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

First Known Use: 1611

Related to RETALIATE

Synonyms

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

Related Words

castigate, fix, get, penalize, punish, scourge; chasten, chastise, correct, discipline; right; compensate, pay (back), recompense, repay

Near Antonyms

absolve, condone, excuse, forgive, pardon, remit

See Synonym Discussion at reciprocate

Rhymes with RETALIATE

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