retaliate

American  

[ri-tal-ee-eyt] / rɪˈtæl iˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

retaliated, retaliating

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

   to retaliate for an injury.

   Synonyms:

   reciprocate, repay, counter

---

verb (used with object)

retaliated, retaliating

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

retaliate British  

/ 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)

---

Other Word Forms

• retaliation noun
• retaliative adjective
• retaliator noun
• retaliatory adjective
• unretaliated adjective
• unretaliating adjective
• unretaliative adjective

Etymology

Origin of retaliate

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

Example Sentences

The Russian foreign ministry said it had summoned Britain's charge d'affaires over the incident and warned London not to retaliate.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Joe Biden used salty language and in 2024 famously issued one word—“Don’t”—to warn Tehran not to retaliate against Israel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

I have waited before asking him for the money because I don’t want him to retaliate with a bad review.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

Hurel cautions against writing off Iran's ability to retaliate either directly or through vigilante hacker groups.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

She wonders how she is supposed to retaliate.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

• reciprocate