as in revengeful
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Recent Examples of retaliatory
That conflict sharply curtailed the region’s oil exports and saw several gulf countries take direct retaliatory Iranian missile and drone hits.
—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped his Ukrainian counterpart of Poland’s highest state honor, prompting retaliatory moves from Kyiv.
—
Lidia Kurasinska,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.
—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
Germany, which represents the EU’s biggest economy and export market, has waffled over hitting China with sanctions or duties, worried about retaliatory measures.
—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
The lawsuit alleges his firing was retaliatory.
—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
According to Israeli and American reports, over the past week, the president forced Israel to abort imminent retaliatory strikes on Iran and demanded that the country restrict its response to Hezbollah fire from Lebanon that has pummeled the Israeli north.
—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
Current House rules allow any one lawmaker to force a vote on disciplining a colleague, setting the stage for censure clashes that have frequently become retaliatory grudge matches.
—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett credits his city’s plunging murder rate in large part to Indy Peace, a CVI program that offers support to gunshot victims and their families in the hope of preventing retaliatory shootings.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped his Ukrainian counterpart of Poland’s highest state honor, prompting retaliatory moves from Kyiv.
—
Lidia Kurasinska,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.
—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
Germany, which represents the EU’s biggest economy and export market, has waffled over hitting China with sanctions or duties, worried about retaliatory measures.
—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
The lawsuit alleges his firing was retaliatory.
—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
According to Israeli and American reports, over the past week, the president forced Israel to abort imminent retaliatory strikes on Iran and demanded that the country restrict its response to Hezbollah fire from Lebanon that has pummeled the Israeli north.
—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
Current House rules allow any one lawmaker to force a vote on disciplining a colleague, setting the stage for censure clashes that have frequently become retaliatory grudge matches.
—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett credits his city’s plunging murder rate in large part to Indy Peace, a CVI program that offers support to gunshot victims and their families in the hope of preventing retaliatory shootings.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliatory
Adjective
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DeMar DeRozan had 32, Russell Westbrook had a revengeful 22 and Malik Monk had 26 off the bench.
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Brian Heil played Don Jose with angst and ultimately, revengeful rage as Carmen’s spurned lover.
Adjective
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The interviewees were willing to talk openly and honestly about Trump covered by anonymity, a necessity to protect them from this fiercely thin-skinned and retributive president.
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And there’s no question that Israel was pursuing both a political agenda as well as retributive-justice agenda.
Adjective
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While the list carries few immediate legal repercussions, it’s widely considered a red flag to investors that can precede more punitive trade restrictions.
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Management was also described as dismissive, punitive and unapproachable.
Adjective
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Since the Board did not take any disciplinary action against Ashley, her reputation had not been harmed in that regard either.
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The emergency suspension of Joceylyne Jacques’ certificate by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is the first disciplinary action in her 23 years, seven months as a CNA.
Adjective
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The 47-month sentence is notable given the Dutch penal system’s typically short prison terms.
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Colorado was the first of eight states to repeal its penal exception clause.
Cite this Entry
“Retaliatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliatory. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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