retaliate

verb

re·tal·i·ate | \ ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt

retaliated; retaliating

Definition of retaliate

intransitive verb

: to return like for like especially : to get revenge

transitive verb

: to repay in kind retaliate an injury

Other Words from retaliate Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about retaliate

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Other Words from retaliate

retaliation \ ri-ˌta-lē-ˈā-shən

, ˌrē- \ noun

retaliative \ ri-ˈta-lē-ˌā-tiv

\ adjective

retaliatory \ ri-ˈtal-yə-ˌtȯr-ē

, -ˈta-lē-ə- \ adjective

Synonyms for retaliate

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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 retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully. the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently. requited her love with cold indifference return implies a paying or giving back. returned their call return good for evil

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 on the Web

Put aside the cruelty and inhumanity of using asylum seekers as pawns to retaliate against political foes. — Rachael Bade, The Seattle Times, "Trump: Administration giving ‘strong considerations’ to releasing detainees in ‘sanctuary cities’," 12 Apr. 2019 After enduring years of abuse, Gypsy retaliated by conspiring with her Internet boyfriend to kill her mother and run away together. — Glamour, "The Best True-Crime TV Shows You Can Stream Right Now," 28 Mar. 2019 Cardi B has officially joined the cast of Hustlers, an upcoming film focusing on a group of former strip club employees who retaliate against their rich Wall Street clientele. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Cardi B Is Joining J.Lo, Constance Wu, and More in a Film About Scamming Strip Club Employees," 19 Mar. 2019 What had happened was that, after President Obama imposed sanctions on Russia in response to their interference with the 2016 election, Flynn got in touch with Kislyak and urged Russia not to retaliate. — Andrew Prokop, Vox, "Judge rakes Michael Flynn over the coals in sentencing hearing," 18 Dec. 2018 All told, Trump has threatened eventually to slap tariffs on up to $550 billion in Chinese imports — more than China actually exported to the United States last year — if Beijing won't relent to U.S. pressure and continues to retaliate. — Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, "US prepares to impose new tariffs on additional $200B worth of Chinese goods," 2 Oct. 2018 The first tariffs took effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 6, prompting China to retaliate with increased tariffs on $34 billion in U.S. goods. — Brooks Jackson, Philly.com, "Trump's Numbers (Second Quarterly Update) | FactCheck," 11 July 2018 The union leaders asked about rights of access for organizers and a commitment that Amazon wouldn’t treat them with hostility or retaliate against workers who spoke to them. — Katie Honan, WSJ, "Amazon’s New York Project Foundered on Labor Organizing, Opposition to Subsidies," 16 Feb. 2019 But what’s to stop other countries, including China, from retaliating and trying to do the same? — Jen Kirby, Vox, "Here’s why Trump threatened to pull out of a 144-year-old postal treaty," 19 Oct. 2018

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.