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

Iran retaliated immediately by attacking American bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq on a scale not seen since the Vietnam War. — Justin Fishel, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

The government illegally retaliated against Anthropic by designating it a supply-chain risk to national security, said yesterday’s ruling by Judge Rita Lin in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Tehran vowed to retaliate and is concurrently rebuilding its military and, according to reports, may be planning on expanding the war, including escalation into Europe. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026