RETALIATORY Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

retaliatory

adjective

Definition of retaliatory

as in revengeful

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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 Russia has long threatened retaliatory action against an expansion of NATO's eastern flank and has previously demanded guarantees that Ukraine will never be allowed to join the alliance. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026 The program allows Canadian businesses to avoid certain retaliatory tariffs on American products that are difficult to source in Canada. — Rich Percival, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026 Those remissions remained in place on the specified products even after Canada imposed retaliatory duties of 15-50 percent on a wide range of American goods, including textiles and apparel, in September. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026 Police said the shooting appeared to be a retaliatory act stemming from another shooting in the 3800 block of Belle Avenue a month earlier. — CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026 Newsom’s ‘retaliatory’ proposal What if California, the country’s most populous state with the most congressional districts, just as cynically redrew its maps to favor Democrats? — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026 Amendment supporters blame ‘leftists’ The proposal marked a major retaliatory response from Republican lawmakers, who voted last year to place the measure on the ballot. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026 Fifty-eight percent of Iowans oppose the 50 percent tariffs on certain Canadian products, according to Emerson College Polling, while 71 percent fear Canada’s retaliatory import taxes. — Kate Andrews, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026 The targeting of civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, particularly airports, illustrates the retaliatory logic the Houthis have invoked to justify their actions. — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliatory

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

Any serious fan of the group might have heard those latter barnburners in concert enough for one lifetime… not that retributive murder and taunting fornication ever get too old.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
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

Definition of retributive

Adjective

The country does have a wealth tax dating back to the nineteenth century, but it is administered at the canton level and its highest marginal rate is nowhere near as punitive as the California proposal.

— Daniel Waldenstrom, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026
The Kingdom of Benin was looted of roughly 5,000 royal and religious objects in 1897 by British forces on a punitive expedition through what is now Nigeria.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of punitive

Adjective

Meaningful consequences would give trustees a reason to intervene before the next disinvitation or disciplinary proceeding becomes a national controversy.

— Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Buckley had 20 days to respond to the disciplinary charges, according to an email from Adam Clay, staff attorney in the Office of Communication, Education, and Outreach for the Indiana Supreme Court.

— Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of disciplinary

Adjective

For most of the 18th century, Ireland’s penal laws kept Catholics from the polls.

— Seth Limmer, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
McKnight ordered the restrictions after the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), which handles certain disciplinary actions involving clergy, issued a penal precept for Kallal.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of penal

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retaliative

retaliatory

retard

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Style

“Retaliatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliatory. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of retaliatory

adjective

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