Synonyms

retaliatory

American

[ri-tal-ee-uh-tawr-ee] / rɪˈtæl i əˌtɔr i /

Rarely retaliative

adjective

done in order to take revenge; returning evil for evil.

Hate crimes are especially likely to inflict emotional harm and provoke retaliatory violence.

Other Word Forms

unretaliative adjective
unretaliatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of retaliatory

retaliat(e) ( def. ) + -ory ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The remarks prompted Beijing to take retaliatory economic and diplomatic measures against Japan.

From The Wall Street Journal

As targeted countries considered or implemented retaliatory measures, tough negotiations led to many deals, including with the European Union and China.

From Barron's

Hershey HSY 1.83%increase; green up pointing triangle entered the second quarter worried about tariffs on cocoa imports and retaliatory duties by Canada, as rising cocoa prices and other factors were also driving up costs.

From The Wall Street Journal

The union seeking to represent the workers called the firings retaliatory and filed charges with the labor board.

From New York Times

The initial strike by militants on March 23 — by a small, suicide drone — set off a series of retaliatory bombings.

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023