Definition of retaliate
: to return like for like;
especially
: to get revenge
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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 of retaliate from the Web
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The barrage has forced Democrats to retaliate with commercials that slam the tax cuts as helping the wealthy -- and endangering Medicare and Social Security in the years ahead.
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The barrage has forced Democrats to retaliate with commercials that slam the tax cuts as helping the wealthy -- and endangering Medicare and Social Security in the years ahead.
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Equities and bonds are unlikely to suffer big losses unless the West strikes again or Russia retaliates.
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Strike on Syria - 2018 The airstrikes are the second time Mr. Trump has retaliated against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad for using chemical weapons against civilians.
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If a trade war erupts, one way China could retaliate might be to reduce its holdings of Treasuries, currently about $1.2trn.
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Media: Sun-Sentinel The Trump Administration last month imposed tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, prompting China to retaliate with tariffs on some $3 billion in U.S. goods.
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His unease swelled Wednesday when China retaliated against President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs by announcing plans for duties of their own on $50 billion worth of U.S. goods like soybeans and whiskey — and beef.
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An aggressive police response, complete with tear gas and billy clubs, led some protesters to retaliate with Molotov cocktails.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retaliate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of retaliate
Late Latin retaliatus, past participle of retaliare, from Latin re- + talio legal retaliation
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 1606
in the meaning defined at transitive sense
See Words from the same yearretaliate Synonyms
Synonym Discussion of 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.
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- reciprocated their hospitality by inviting them for a visit
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- the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners
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- requited her love with cold indifference
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- returned their call
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- return good for evil
RETALIATE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of retaliate for English Language Learners
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: to do something bad to someone who has hurt you or treated you badly : to get revenge against someone
RETALIATE Defined for Kids
Definition of retaliate for Students
retaliated;
retaliating
: to get revenge by returning like for like
Law Dictionary
legal Definition of retaliate
retaliated;
retaliating
: to act in revenge
Learn More about retaliate
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See words that rhyme with retaliate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for retaliate Spanish Central: Translation of retaliate Nglish: Translation of retaliate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of retaliate for Arabic speakers
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