Definition of retaliate
: to return like for like;
especially
: to get revenge
- Trending Now: More Trending:
- mistrial hogwash probity sequacious inadmissible
- ALL
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
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
-
More significantly, Beijing has vowed to retaliate with tariffs on $50 billion worth of American exports, with an eye toward (politically sensitive) agricultural and manufacturing products.
-
Trump's decision to bypass the World Trade Organization, set up to arbitrate tariff and other trade disputes, risks causing other nations to retaliate with protectionist measures that could damage the world economy.
-
In 1880, when the British governor of Trinidad banned African drum skins used to spur rebellion among poor blacks, Yoruba were among the first to retaliate with the invention of steel pan drums.
-
Earlier, China responded with a threat to retaliate with higher duties on a $50 billion list of American goods including soybeans, small aircraft, whiskey, electric vehicles and orange juice.
-
The employment news seemed to reassure traders who had been spooked by Thursday’s promises by leaders in Europe, Canada and Mexico to retaliate against Trump’s steel import tariffs with their own new fees on U.S.farm and factory products.
-
The three immediately announced plans to retaliate with their own tariffs against American products.
-
The prospect of a damaging economic confrontation between the world’s two largest economies has loomed in recent weeks, as the Trump administration threatened China with steep tariffs and China promised to retaliate with similar trade measures.
-
Thursday, President Trump signs proclamations on the steel and aluminum tariffs as America's allies promise to retaliate.
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.
-
- reciprocated their hospitality by inviting them for a visit
-
- the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners
-
- requited her love with cold indifference
-
- returned their call
-
- return good for evil
RETALIATE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of retaliate for English Language Learners
-
: 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
-
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
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up retaliate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
