retaliatory

Rarely re·tal·i·a·tive

[ri-tal-ee-uh-tawr-ee]

adjective

1. 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

• unretaliatory adjective
• unretaliative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retaliatory¹

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

Example Sentences

Canada, one of the top markets for Kentucky bourbon, recently removed its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. spirits, but the ban on U.S. spirits sales remains in place in most provinces.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed at least 67,194 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, figures the United Nations considers credible.

Read more on Barron's

The lawsuit lays out years’ worth of discrimination allegations that culminated in what her attorney argues are baseless retaliatory internal affairs investigations probing her conduct.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Within hours, Palestinians realised that Israel would launch a retaliatory campaign unlike any before.

Read more on BBC

Media Matters sued and a federal judge blocked the investigation as likely retaliatory.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• cruel 
• malicious 
• merciless 
• resentful 
• ruthless 
• spiteful 
• unforgiving 
• vengeful