: an equivalent given in return (as for an injury) : retaliation in kind
tit-for-tat adjective

Examples of tit for tat in a Sentence

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.
The unsatisfactory solution might just be giving up exporting to the U.S. The tit for tat imposition of tariffs and reciprocal tariffs between the U.S. and China puts a magnifying glass over the scope of competitive threat the Chinese auto industry to the domestic companies. Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 The tit for tat action marks the latest development in a simmering trade war that has been marked by bold promises of tariffs — and subsequent reversals and delays — by Trump. Katrina Bishop,amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025 The booing seems to be a continuation of an apparent tit for tat that began almost two weeks ago, when hockey fans in Montreal jeered at the Star-Spangled Banner during a hockey matchup between the two countries amid ongoing tensions with tariff disputes. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025 The United States and China spent this week going tit for tat in an escalating trade war. Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Apr. 2025 But Trump and China continued raising the tariffs in a tit for tat. Associated Press, Time, 11 Apr. 2025 President Donald Trump will hit China with 104% tariffs starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday – escalating a tit for tat between the two countries. Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 Trump’s threat is the latest tit for tat between the U.S. and China in the last week. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025 But Senate Republicans are fretting that if the tariff tit for tat isn’t resolved — and quickly — both Trump and American consumers will feel the pinch. Al Weaver, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier tip for tap, from tip (blow) + for + tap

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tit for tat was in 1556

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tit for tat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tit%20for%20tat. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tit for tat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!