Synonyms of retaliation

retaliation

noun

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

• revenge
• retribution
• reprisal
• vengeance
• punishment
• payback
• compensation
• counterattack
• counteroffensive
• requital
• chastisement
• castigation
• counter
• correction
• wrath
• amends
• penalty
• redress
• indemnity
• reparation(s)
• restitution
• indemnification
• desert(s)
• discipline
• recompense
• recoupment
• nemesis
• remuneration
• quittance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mercy
• grace
• leniency
• clemency
• forgiveness
• pardon
• remission
• lenity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retaliation

In a 26-page letter through an attorney, seven anonymous Sun Devils, fearing retaliation from Powers, wrote to Arizona State University president Michael Crow to place their head and assistant coaches on leave, per The Athletic. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Biggs herself has characterized the disciplinary action against her as retaliation for speaking out against CPS practices. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Following the Irish uprising against England in 1917, the British retaliation sees Winston Churchill dispatch a brutal police force to Ireland that attacks civilians and ends with Cork City burned. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026

Some wineries were hurt by ongoing Canadian boycotts on American alcohol in retaliation for the United States’ new tariffs on Canadian goods. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Eckhart disputed the network’s explanation and alleged she was fired in retaliation for raising concerns about harassment and a toxic workplace. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2026

The driver, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, said a commander ordered him to leave the airport, saying no flights would be landing. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Moore declined an interview to discuss her employment file but said in an email that the most recent complaints from colleagues were in retaliation for her filing a complaint against a teacher. — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026

Amy Stilling Tanner claims her firing in April came in retaliation for sharing a surveillance video showing another employee acting inappropriately toward a student. — Eric Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026