Synonyms of retaliate

retaliate

verb

ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt 

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

• avenge
• revenge
• punish
• redress
• requite
• get even (for)
• venge
• penalize
• chastise
• repay
• castigate
• compensate
• correct
• right
• discipline
• scourge
• pay (back)
• fix
• chasten
• get
• recompense

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forgive
• excuse
• pardon
• remit
• condone
• absolve

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of retaliate

Cuomo retaliated by harping on Mamdani’s inexperience in government. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2025

When Mark Henrikson, another sixth grade teacher, was placed on administrative leave earlier this month, parents believed he was being retaliated against by the school district for speaking out on behalf of his former colleague. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025

Congress could hold hearings to examine whether senior officials disregarded judicial directives or retaliated against career lawyers. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025

The defense was able to add a score, as Neil Everitt retaliated with a pick-six of his own, returning it 42 yards for the score. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025