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
Brussels began rethinking its Big Tech crackdown last year, but has since faced calls to hold firm and increase enforcement, despite threats of US retaliation over the continent’s regulatory impulses.
—
Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
After the complaint, Joly began retaliation by increasing Dupont’s workload while reducing duties of coworkers, the suit contends.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
Hahn of the National Immigration Law Center noted some businesses are communicating through industry associations to avoid direct exposure to possible retaliation.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
So, in something of a recent retaliation, Sapire returned to the space with a very different proposition.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Grundyson’s three-year term as chief has been marked by the deaths of two firefighters; felony charges against some in his ranks; and a string of lawsuits by employees alleging discrimination, retaliation and harassment.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
He was later sentenced to the maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a move González described at the time as retaliation by Maduro’s government.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Busfield has denied all claims, alleging the accusations are an act of retaliation after the boys were recast on the show.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
After the complaint, Joly began retaliation by increasing Dupont’s workload while reducing duties of coworkers, the suit contends.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
Hahn of the National Immigration Law Center noted some businesses are communicating through industry associations to avoid direct exposure to possible retaliation.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
So, in something of a recent retaliation, Sapire returned to the space with a very different proposition.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Grundyson’s three-year term as chief has been marked by the deaths of two firefighters; felony charges against some in his ranks; and a string of lawsuits by employees alleging discrimination, retaliation and harassment.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
He was later sentenced to the maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a move González described at the time as retaliation by Maduro’s government.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Busfield has denied all claims, alleging the accusations are an act of retaliation after the boys were recast on the show.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliation
Noun
-
Both Coleman and Ijeboi will have the chance at revenge games next season.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Although the film became a template for white revenge fantasies, its street thugs are assembled with almost comic care to avoid racial bias.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, the current regime in Washington has already demonstrated a monstrous capacity for retribution.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Most of those cases are believed to be sitting idle as investigators prioritize easier complaints, according to staffers who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliation. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
