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.

Advocacy groups including Equal Rights Advocates, Child USA and Sanctuary for Families have backed her efforts, warning that allowing retaliatory defamation claims to proceed could chill survivors from coming forward.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

But Iranian forces continue to operate mobile systems and launch retaliatory attacks, underscoring the regime’s resilience and the difficulty of neutralizing its long‑range capabilities completely.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

But when asked if he was considering any retaliatory measures, the president said only that he had "nothing currently in mind".

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Both main contracts, which had surged more than a quarter last week, spiked as Iran carried out retaliatory strikes against crude-producing Gulf nations.

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 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