retaliatory
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of retaliatory
Explanation
A retaliatory act is one that attempts to get even with someone or to punish them for some wrongdoing. When you shove your brother because he shoved you, that's retaliatory. Sometimes, wars are avoided because one country or group hesitates to attack another out of fear of a retaliatory strike. In fact, most wars consist of a long series of retaliatory actions — a bomb dropped to pay the enemy back for the bomb they dropped, and so on. Retaliatory comes from the verb retaliate, and the Latin root retaliare, "pay back in kind."
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.
Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Canadian retaliatory measures are a major hurdle for renewed trade pact talks.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
The Saudis wanted the U.S. to pressure the U.A.E. to stop the retaliatory attacks and join diplomatic efforts by regional countries, they said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
The federal district court found for Media Matters, saying this was clearly a retaliatory measure.
From Slate • May 18, 2026
But the Iran conflict, questions about tariffs and a series of retaliatory moves from Beijing highlight potential tripwires even as the two leaders prioritize stabilizing the relationship.
From Barron's • May 12, 2026
President Kennedy had warned that any Soviet attack would be met with “a full retaliatory response.”
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
