as in to avenge
to punish in kind the wrongdoer responsible for retaliated his neighbor's malicious destruction of his flower garden by cutting down the man's prize apple tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb retaliate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of retaliate are reciprocate, requite, and return. While all these words mean "to give back usually in kind or in quantity," retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully.

the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners

When is reciprocate a more appropriate choice than retaliate?

While in some cases nearly identical to retaliate, 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

Where would requite be a reasonable alternative to retaliate?

While the synonyms requite and retaliate are close in meaning, requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently.

requited her love with cold indifference

When could return be used to replace retaliate?

The words return and retaliate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, return implies a paying or giving back.

returned their call
return good for evil

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of retaliate Trump warned there would be additional strikes if Tehran retaliated against U.S. forces, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision to attack. Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025 The shipping industry was placed on high alert on Sunday with warnings that Tehran could retaliate against commercial vessels following US airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 June 2025 Advertisement The strikes have raised many questions about what comes next, including how Iran will retaliate and whether the conflict will spread across the region. Brian Bennett, Time, 22 June 2025 Iran almost certainly will retaliate against the U.S. Donovan Slack, USA Today, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for retaliate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliate
avenge
Verb
  • Directed by Kevin McManus and Matthew McManus, the film centers on Irene, who attempts to avenge her daughter’s death by traveling through parallel universes to repeatedly kill her daughter’s murderer.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 June 2025
  • Concord-Carlisle avenged its 15-13 loss to the Ghosts on May 6.
    Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Retaliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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