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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retaliation
For immigration advocates in the Bay Area, Good’s death has intensified long-standing concerns about intimidation and retaliation against those who monitor federal agents.
—
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Russia said the attack was retaliation for what Moscow claimed was a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence last month.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Russia's Defense Ministry said the attack was a retaliation to what Moscow said was a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence last month.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
In many cases, the perpetrator is also the employer who controls not only wages and work hours, but housing and transportation, creating an extreme power imbalance in which retaliation can mean losing a job, losing shelter, or being forced deeper into poverty.
—Mónica Ramírez, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Union leaders are harassed and arrested, workplaces remain perilous, and bargaining is undermined by intimidation and retaliation.
—Tharo Khun, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Putin might have access to tools of nuclear retaliation had things gone awry.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
But Cunningham’s claims are just part of a broader petition, which alleges safety issues at the county jail due to McFadden’s mismanagement, retaliation against critics and directing on-duty deputies to take officials in town for a conference to bars and strip clubs.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
The reports say many struggled to find private-sector work afterward, with major law firms declining to hire them due to fear of retaliation, forcing some to return to public service as state and local prosecutors.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2026
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Russia said the attack was retaliation for what Moscow claimed was a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence last month.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Russia's Defense Ministry said the attack was a retaliation to what Moscow said was a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence last month.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
In many cases, the perpetrator is also the employer who controls not only wages and work hours, but housing and transportation, creating an extreme power imbalance in which retaliation can mean losing a job, losing shelter, or being forced deeper into poverty.
—Mónica Ramírez, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Union leaders are harassed and arrested, workplaces remain perilous, and bargaining is undermined by intimidation and retaliation.
—Tharo Khun, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Putin might have access to tools of nuclear retaliation had things gone awry.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
But Cunningham’s claims are just part of a broader petition, which alleges safety issues at the county jail due to McFadden’s mismanagement, retaliation against critics and directing on-duty deputies to take officials in town for a conference to bars and strip clubs.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
The reports say many struggled to find private-sector work afterward, with major law firms declining to hire them due to fear of retaliation, forcing some to return to public service as state and local prosecutors.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliation
Noun
-
No matter how unpopular a modern dictator might be, there will be an important percentage of his population who have benefited from his rule, who will be aggrieved by his overthrow, and who, exposed to revenge from the rest, will attempt to preempt it.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
4 Jan. 2026
-
United got their revenge in the league, though, pipping Leeds to the title on goal average.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As national Republicans pledge retribution for redistricting, what Statehouse primary will Banks get involved in next?—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This is just another preemptive Trump retribution move.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliation. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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