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 Ukraine, meanwhile, has escalated its retaliatory strikes on Russia in recent months, partly to pressure Moscow to the negotiating table after nearly four-and-a-half years of war. — CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 73,300 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which was part of the Hamas-run government. — Toqa Ezzidin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Tehran has repeatedly sought to claim sovereignty over the channel and has targeted vessels that do not adhere to stipulations, compounding uneven oil prices triggered by months of US strikes and retaliatory Iranian attacks. — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 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 Trump’s tariffs on China, which led to retaliatory duties and a Chinese pivot to other markets for products such as soybeans, have been particularly damaging, Short said in an interview with CNBC. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 30 July 2026 American whiskey exports to the European Union fell 20% between 2018 and 2021 while retaliatory tariffs were in effect. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The network has pushed back on that action as well, also characterizing it as a retaliatory effort to chill free speech. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 28 July 2026 Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,317 Palestinians, including those killed since the ceasefire, Gaza’s Health Ministry said. — ABC News, 25 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
  • Train and reframe the narrative to show that surveillance is not punitive but a tool designed to remove friction from their shift.
    — Robert Messer, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Health policy researchers and hospice administrators worry that the negative attention on the industry and potential for overly punitive regulations could put California patients and taxpayers on the losing end.
    — Laurie Udesky, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of punitive
Adjective
  • The backpedaling comes just weeks after an I-Team investigation showed contention over the disciplinary process.
    — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Willian, another player listed in the disciplinary charges, wasn’t too shabby, either.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of disciplinary
Adjective
  • The 47-month sentence is notable given the Dutch penal system’s typically short prison terms.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 June 2026
  • Colorado was the first of eight states to repeal its penal exception clause.
    — Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on retaliatory

Nglish: Translation of retaliatory for Spanish Speakers

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