retaliate

American  

[ri-tal-ee-eyt] / rɪˈtæl iˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

retaliated, retaliating

1. to return like for like, especially evil for evil.

   to retaliate for an injury.

   Synonyms:

   reciprocate , repay , counter

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verb (used with object)

retaliated, retaliating

1. to requite or make return for (a wrong or injury) with the like.

retaliate British  

/ rɪˈtælɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to take retributory action, esp by returning some injury or wrong in kind

2. (intr) to cast (accustations) back upon a person

3. rare  (tr) to avenge (an injury, wrong, etc)

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Other Word Forms

• retaliation noun
• retaliative adjective
• retaliator noun
• retaliatory adjective
• unretaliated adjective
• unretaliating adjective
• unretaliative adjective

Etymology

Origin of retaliate

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin retāliātus (past participle of retāliāre ), equivalent to re- re- + tāli(s) “such, of such a nature” + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Beijing quickly retaliated by sending Chinese coast guard vessels into waters around disputed islands and military drones near an outlying Japanese island.

From The Wall Street Journal

The climate of fear has made families more reluctant than ever to complain about unsafe working conditions, concerned that employers will retaliate.

From Los Angeles Times

Following his whistleblower complaint in August, Borges filed in early November a prohibited-personnel-practices complaint against the Social Security Administration that alleged that he was retaliated against for blowing the whistle.

From MarketWatch

Ramsey retaliated by throwing a punch at Chase and was ejected.

From Los Angeles Times

But, Bessent warned, if Beijing balks, the United States has "lots of levers" to retaliate.

From Barron's

Related Words

• reciprocate