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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Recent Examples of retaliation
Some witnesses from immigrant communities declined to participate in the in-person hearings, citing fears of retaliation from the federal government, Baset said.
—
Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
The union accuses the company of engaging in interference and retaliation by disciplining a bargaining committee member for attending bargaining sessions, protected activity under federal law.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
As the argument continued, Alexander and his 62-year-old father, in turn, urinated on his neighbor’s yard in apparent retaliation for the dog’s actions, prosecutors say.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
First, the company engaged in interference and retaliation by issuing discipline to a bargaining committee member for attending bargaining sessions on behalf of their fellow workers — protected activity under federal law.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
One of the common problems raised by renters about no-fault evictions is that they are used in discriminatory ways or as retaliation against tenants who complain about poor housing conditions.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Uber has described the ballot measure, which is sponsored by the Consumer Attorneys of California, or CAOC, as retaliation for its own November ballot push to cap how much attorneys can earn in car crash cases in California.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Concerns over potential Russian retaliation and legal challenges led them to keep the assets frozen until Moscow ends its war and compensates Ukraine for the destruction caused.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Cool defended Nanos' handling of the sheriff's department budget, argued that the sheriff should not have to answer all of the board's questions in a public setting, and downplayed concerns of retaliation against Cross and Lappin.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
The union accuses the company of engaging in interference and retaliation by disciplining a bargaining committee member for attending bargaining sessions, protected activity under federal law.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
As the argument continued, Alexander and his 62-year-old father, in turn, urinated on his neighbor’s yard in apparent retaliation for the dog’s actions, prosecutors say.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
First, the company engaged in interference and retaliation by issuing discipline to a bargaining committee member for attending bargaining sessions on behalf of their fellow workers — protected activity under federal law.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
One of the common problems raised by renters about no-fault evictions is that they are used in discriminatory ways or as retaliation against tenants who complain about poor housing conditions.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Uber has described the ballot measure, which is sponsored by the Consumer Attorneys of California, or CAOC, as retaliation for its own November ballot push to cap how much attorneys can earn in car crash cases in California.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Concerns over potential Russian retaliation and legal challenges led them to keep the assets frozen until Moscow ends its war and compensates Ukraine for the destruction caused.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Cool defended Nanos' handling of the sheriff's department budget, argued that the sheriff should not have to answer all of the board's questions in a public setting, and downplayed concerns of retaliation against Cross and Lappin.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliation
Noun
-
To say both programs, but even more so both fan bases, want revenge against their former coach would be quite the understatement.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The movie is understood to follow a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits who use the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and terrorize the occupants of a small town.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Five hours after the release of the video, which, because of the crude grave act, police consider among the most incendiary distrack recordings ever released by a Fort Worth gang member, Jaquan Wright sought retribution at a Crip stronghold.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Steer ended up getting plunked on Thursday, retribution for his Jomboy-worthy fracas.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliation. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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