retaliate

verb

re·​tal·​i·​ate ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt How to pronounce retaliate (audio)
retaliated; retaliating

intransitive verb

: to return like for like
especially : to get revenge

transitive verb

: to repay in kind
retaliate an injury
retaliation noun
retaliative adjective
retaliatory
ri-ˈtal-yə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce retaliate (audio)
-ˈta-lē-ə-
adjective
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Moreover, China would likely retaliate with a tax on U.S.-built aircraft, hurting the U.S. aerospace industry and its workers. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025 Trump announced the Yemen ceasefire only hours after Israel retaliated against a Houthi missile attack that successfully struck its main airport outside Tel Aviv. Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 China again retaliates with tariffs up to 25 percent on over 100 U.S. products including aircraft and soybeans. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025 The meetings, scheduled to continue on Sunday, will be the first since Mr. Trump ratcheted up tariffs on Chinese imports to 145 percent and China retaliated with its own levies of 125 percent on U.S. goods. Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for retaliate

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin retaliatus, past participle of retaliare, from Latin re- + talio legal retaliation

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of retaliate was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retaliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retaliate. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

retaliate

verb
re·​tal·​i·​ate ri-ˈtal-ē-ˌāt How to pronounce retaliate (audio)
retaliated; retaliating
: to return (as an injury) in kind : get revenge
retaliation noun
retaliatory adjective

Legal Definition

retaliate

intransitive verb
re·​tal·​i·​ate ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt How to pronounce retaliate (audio)
retaliated; retaliating
: to act in revenge
retaliation noun
retaliative adjective
retaliatory adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on retaliate

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