retaliatory

adjective

Definition of retaliatorynext
as in revengeful

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retaliatory The European Union prepared retaliatory tariffs against the United States last year but repeatedly suspended them while negotiating with Washington. — Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 Prime Minister Carney said there will be new retaliatory tariffs rolling out next week on steel, dairy appliances, ag equipment, pulp and paper, electronics. — CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promises retaliatory levies. — Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2026 America’s allies in the Gulf are likely to suffer retaliatory attacks on their energy infrastructure that will harm their economies. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2026 That would likely spark retaliatory action from Beijing and spark more global energy price uncertainty. — Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 Russia’s daily aerial assualts on Ukraine still vastly outnumber Kyiv’s retaliatory attacks. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 This indicates that Canada has not ruled out taking retaliatory measures. — CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 But in Russian regions bordering Ukraine, which started to face Kyiv’s retaliatory strikes earlier than the rest of the country, support for the war is even higher. — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliatory
  1. revengeful
  2. retributive
  3. punitive
  4. disciplinary
  5. penal
Adjective
  • DeMar DeRozan had 32, Russell Westbrook had a revengeful 22 and Malik Monk had 26 off the bench.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Brian Heil played Don Jose with angst and ultimately, revengeful rage as Carmen’s spurned lover.
    — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
Definition of revengeful
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 June 2026
  • And there’s no question that Israel was pursuing both a political agenda as well as retributive-justice agenda.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Definition of retributive
Adjective
  • The absolute yield level isn’t broadly punitive yet to big companies.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Jurors awarded $6 million in damages ($3 million compensatory and $3 million punitive) to a 20-year-old woman whose compulsive childhood use of Instagram and YouTube exacerbated her severe depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia.
    — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of punitive
Adjective
  • The Metcalf brothers exchanged violent text messages about jumping students, and were documented to have frequently had disciplinary issues at school, according to a motion presented in court.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Argentina’s federation was separately fined $321,000 for multiple disciplinary breaches during the tournament and ordered to play its next two home games at reduced capacity.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of disciplinary
Adjective
  • While the two men entered the Russian penal system around the same time, their cases differ significantly.
    — Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The 47-month sentence is notable given the Dutch penal system’s typically short prison terms.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 June 2026
Definition of penal

Browse Nearby Words

retaliative
retaliatory
retard
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Cite this Entry

“Retaliatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliatory. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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