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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promised to continue striking Russian energy assets, in retaliation for attacks on his country. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2026

Murray said the lawsuit includes a First Amendment retaliation claim related to the Safe2Tell report, along with claims under federal and state anti-discrimination laws. — Tori Mason, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Trump’s trade war has included 50% tariffs on billions of dollars in Canadian goods, prompting Canadian retaliation. — ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026

In the past, peaceful protests happened, bloody retaliation from the military, and people stop. — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Professors have long said that political intervention hurts academic freedom, which is supposed to enable faculty to teach freely without fear of retaliation. — Samantha Ketterer, Austin American Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026

Moore declined to comment on 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, 3 Nov. 2026

The Teamsters said workers were striking over unfair labor practice charges, adding that the union has filed or is preparing to file charges alleging a variety of such practices, including refusal to bargain and retaliation. — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

King’s trial, on an indictment in which the sheriff was charged with corrupt influence retaliation, unfolded over about two and a half weeks. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2026