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

Immigration attorneys and advocates are accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials of retaliating against detainees taking part in hunger strikes over inhumane conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Charging documents said Lawson forced Carter to remove his clothes the day of the carjacking, proving a strong motive to detectives that Carter retaliated. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 11 June 2026

The eyewitness claimed that Metcalf then began to move and grab Anthony, so the latter was believed to have retaliated by pulling a knife out of his bag and stabbing Metcalf in the chest. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

Nicolas Matthew Scelfo of Brooklyn, New York, faces up to 10 years in prison after being charged with influencing, impeding, and retaliating against a federal officer by threat. —Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2026