as in revenge
the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury
police believe that the murder was in retaliation for an earlier gangland execution
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Recent Examples of retaliation
Oil prices rose around 3% after the Pentagon said the United States bombed Iranian military sites, retaliation for Tehran's shooting down of an American drone.
—
ABC News, 1 June 2026
According to the lawsuit, the union’s anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policy prohibits retaliation against employees for lodging a discrimination or harassment complaint or assisting in the investigation of such a complaint.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Finally, residents must have safe ways to raise concerns about how they’re being evaluated and disciplined, without fear of retaliation.
—Vanessa Grubbs, STAT, 1 June 2026
Allegations of retaliation in response to court filing The ACLU's filings alleged that Accountability NOW USA was approached about the flag again on May 27, less than a day after the preliminary injunction request was submitted.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Iran will completely close the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation, state media said.
—Spencer Kimball,sam Meredith,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 June 2026
On March 2, Hezbollah again fired at Israel, in retaliation for its bombing of Iran, prompting Israel to invade southern Lebanon.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Prosecutors have alleged that the men killed Vega to prevent her from cooperating with authorities or as retaliation for cooperating.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 28 May 2026
Ellis is less focused on Cuban retaliation than on the political aftermath.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
ABC News, 1 June 2026
According to the lawsuit, the union’s anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policy prohibits retaliation against employees for lodging a discrimination or harassment complaint or assisting in the investigation of such a complaint.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Finally, residents must have safe ways to raise concerns about how they’re being evaluated and disciplined, without fear of retaliation.
—Vanessa Grubbs, STAT, 1 June 2026
Allegations of retaliation in response to court filing The ACLU's filings alleged that Accountability NOW USA was approached about the flag again on May 27, less than a day after the preliminary injunction request was submitted.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Iran will completely close the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation, state media said.
—Spencer Kimball,sam Meredith,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 June 2026
On March 2, Hezbollah again fired at Israel, in retaliation for its bombing of Iran, prompting Israel to invade southern Lebanon.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Prosecutors have alleged that the men killed Vega to prevent her from cooperating with authorities or as retaliation for cooperating.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 28 May 2026
Ellis is less focused on Cuban retaliation than on the political aftermath.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliation
Noun
-
Wong got his replay-review revenge with a two-run single and advanced to second on a throwing error by left fielder Stuart Fairchild, Cleveland’s fourth error of the contest.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
Some members of Assad’s Alawite sect have been subjected to revenge attacks by members of Islamist groups who drove Assad from power.—
Ahmad Mantash,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Any actions by the commission, however, will have to navigate disagreements between France — which has advocated for robust measures — and Germany, which is wary of retribution from its top trading partner.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
-
And so there was some retribution in that.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliation. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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