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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 retaliation
The lawsuit in Alexandria, Virginia federal court accuses Apple of religious discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
—
Reuters, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
The union held a rally in Queens, hoping to bring attention to the job losses and accusing Amazon of cutting ties with the DSP as retaliation for its drivers joining the Teamsters union last year.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
At the Social Security Administration, the email came from Commissioner Frank Bisignano, according to a staffer who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.
—Shannon Bond, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
The judge stated that the policy chilled political speech and constituted ideological retaliation.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Wilding also covers handling offensive remarks and navigating retaliation.
—Stav Ziv, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
But if successful, some also warn of potential retaliation.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
Kimmel’s benching came hours after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr openly threatened retaliation against Disney on a podcast and continued to go on the attack on social media.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
After reporting bullying, parents should talk with their child about how to protect themselves from retaliation and further danger, Doras said.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Reuters, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
The union held a rally in Queens, hoping to bring attention to the job losses and accusing Amazon of cutting ties with the DSP as retaliation for its drivers joining the Teamsters union last year.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
At the Social Security Administration, the email came from Commissioner Frank Bisignano, according to a staffer who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.
—Shannon Bond, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
The judge stated that the policy chilled political speech and constituted ideological retaliation.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Wilding also covers handling offensive remarks and navigating retaliation.
—Stav Ziv, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
But if successful, some also warn of potential retaliation.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
Kimmel’s benching came hours after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr openly threatened retaliation against Disney on a podcast and continued to go on the attack on social media.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
After reporting bullying, parents should talk with their child about how to protect themselves from retaliation and further danger, Doras said.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliation
Noun
-
The brutality of Daedalus’s revenge struck me.—
Seamus Sullivan
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The government launched the crackdown after a spate of famo revenge killings in 2024.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Prosecutors submitted letters from Cassie Ventura, her parents, and former employees who urged the judge to consider the victims, some of whom fear retribution.—
Kara Scannell,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Ventura's former stylist, Deonte Nash, reiterated the singer's concerns about retribution in his letter.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retaliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliation. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share