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
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.
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