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

In exchange for letting Frank make his case for working in Kingstown, Mike asks Bunny to retaliate against the inmate who clobbered Kyle. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2025

Trump imposed tariffs on the country’s third-largest trading partner, and China retaliated by refusing to buy soybeans and restricting the export of rare-earth minerals. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025

The Taliban retaliated with attacks on Pakistani military posts along the length of the 1,600-mile border that remains closed. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025

Gang members retaliated to the raid, which involved more than 2,500 police officers, with gunfire and grenades after authorities entered two communities, The Times reported. —Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025