retaliate

[ ri-tal-ee-eyt ]

verb (used without object)

, re·tal·i·at·ed, re·tal·i·at·ing.

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

   to retaliate for an injury.

   Synonyms: reciprocate, repay, counter

verb (used with object)

, re·tal·i·at·ed, re·tal·i·at·ing.

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

retaliate

/ 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)

Derived Forms

• reˈtaliˌator, noun
• reˈtaliative, adjective
• reˌtaliˈation, noun

Other Words From

• re·tal·i·a·tive re·tal·i·a·to·ry [ri-, tal, -ee-, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
• re·tal·i·a·tor noun
• un·re·tal·i·at·ed adjective
• un·re·tal·i·at·ing adjective
• un·re·tal·i·a·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retaliate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of retaliate¹

C17: from Late Latin retāliāre , from Latin re- + tālis of such kind

Example Sentences

Israel says it struck targets in Lebanon on Monday evening after vowing to retaliate for an attack by Hezbollah on a military post, with both sides accusing each other of violating last week's ceasefire.

From BBC

That prompted Hezbollah, the Lebanese political and militant group, to fire rockets into Israel and Israel to retaliate by bombing southern Lebanon.

From BBC

Sheinbaum vowed earlier on Wednesday to retaliate if the US triggered a trade war.

From BBC

Reading from a letter that she said she would send to Trump, Sheinbaum also warned that Mexico would retaliate by imposing its own taxes on US imports, which would "put common enterprises at risk".

From BBC

And, if trading partners retaliate, tariff increases could hurt the state’s sales of farm goods, electronics, transportation equipment and other leading exports.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• reciprocate