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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of retaliation
Recent strikes on Qatar’s vast Ras Laffan natural gas processing facility, which was hit by two Iranian missiles last week in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian South Pars gas field, sent shockwaves through the global energy markets, surging already highly elevated global prices.
—
Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Iranian state media has framed the overnight attacks on Israel as retaliation for the bombing of the Natanz nuclear facility.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Hezbollah launched strikes on Israel soon after the war began, calling it retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
The union alleged in the statement members have documented multiple incidents since 2022, including retaliation, terminations and denial to translate disciplinary hearings.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
In retaliation, Afroman released several songs about the experience, made music videos using his security-cam footage, and generally was a silly goose about the whole thing.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
What to read next Iran has also targeted Qatar for retaliation following the Iran war outbreak, and severely damaged a major Liquid Natural Gas facility on March 18, 2026, with uncertain consequences for the country's economic future.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
The former intern spoke to The Times and requested anonymity for fear of retaliation and to not be professionally associated with Noma or the accident.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Iranian state media has framed the overnight attacks on Israel as retaliation for the bombing of the Natanz nuclear facility.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Hezbollah launched strikes on Israel soon after the war began, calling it retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
The union alleged in the statement members have documented multiple incidents since 2022, including retaliation, terminations and denial to translate disciplinary hearings.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
In retaliation, Afroman released several songs about the experience, made music videos using his security-cam footage, and generally was a silly goose about the whole thing.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
What to read next Iran has also targeted Qatar for retaliation following the Iran war outbreak, and severely damaged a major Liquid Natural Gas facility on March 18, 2026, with uncertain consequences for the country's economic future.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
The former intern spoke to The Times and requested anonymity for fear of retaliation and to not be professionally associated with Noma or the accident.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliation
Noun
-
Those hoping for a memorable revenge game were disappointed.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Emanuel Sharp made all three of his 3s to christen his revenge tour.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Doncic then sent the fans home happy, retribution for a loss in Denver that preceded their five-game winning streak.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
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Those employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, described being asked a wide range of questions about government contracts and campaign donations.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliation. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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