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
Most of their clients were too scared to speak publicly, citing fear of retaliation.
—
Shoshana Walter, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
An independent special prosecutor would be no more shielded from retaliation than the state's attorney.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 11 May 2026
However, Baldoni, who was accused of orchestrating a campaign of retaliation against the actress, wouldn’t budge.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 May 2026
His experience covers a wide range of sensitive issues, including misconduct, discrimination, retaliation, and fraud.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The move effectively dismantled the town’s entire law enforcement operation, raising questions about leadership, potential retaliation and public safety in the roughly 1,000-person community.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
The agency’s order — in effect challenging the stations and subjecting them to a lengthy legal process — was widely seen as a form of government retaliation.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
This risk of retaliation would reduce the instances of whistleblowers coming forward.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
The remaining charges were related to breach of contract and retaliation.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2026
Shoshana Walter, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
An independent special prosecutor would be no more shielded from retaliation than the state's attorney.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 11 May 2026
However, Baldoni, who was accused of orchestrating a campaign of retaliation against the actress, wouldn’t budge.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 May 2026
His experience covers a wide range of sensitive issues, including misconduct, discrimination, retaliation, and fraud.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The move effectively dismantled the town’s entire law enforcement operation, raising questions about leadership, potential retaliation and public safety in the roughly 1,000-person community.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
The agency’s order — in effect challenging the stations and subjecting them to a lengthy legal process — was widely seen as a form of government retaliation.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
This risk of retaliation would reduce the instances of whistleblowers coming forward.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
The remaining charges were related to breach of contract and retaliation.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliation
Noun
-
Late in the finale, Stiles is in pursuit of Wilder, but Stiles’ teenage son Noah (Cedric Joe) is seeking his own revenge for Wilder killing his grandfather.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
Adapted from her 2018 play, the story centers on two sisters (Broadway favorite Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on an epic quest for revenge.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The move marked a dramatic escalation in an already bitter legal battle, shifting the focus to retribution as Lively attempts to hold her opponents financially accountable.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
Many parents are afraid to go on the record against a school or coach for fear of retribution against their son or daughter, so for a teenager to go out on the limb and put himself up to possible ridicule was both stunning and courageous.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliation. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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