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 The Giants retaliated in the first inning of Thursday’s game when starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong drilled Marlins No. 3 hitter Otto Lopez with the first pitch of the at-bat. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025 But hacker groups could still retaliate on Iran's behalf. Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025 Iran retaliated Monday to the U.S. attack with a missile strike on an American air base in Qatar that caused no injuries. Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 25 June 2025 The president has also signaled a readiness to de-escalate after the Iranians retaliated with strikes in Qatar on Monday. Ella Lee, The Hill, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for retaliate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliate
avenge
Verb
  • Forty-two years after that, Titus captured and destroyed the city of Jerusalem; that act avenged the murder of Christ.
    Mary Jo Bang July 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
  • In 2019, Mercado avenged that loss to Zarika, beating her by decision and taking her title.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Retaliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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