retaliate

[ri-tal-ee-eyt]

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of retaliate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of retaliate¹

C17: from Late Latin retāliāre , from Latin _re- + tālis of such kind

Example Sentences

The climate of fear has made families more reluctant than ever to complain about unsafe working conditions, concerned that employers will retaliate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Following his whistleblower complaint in August, Borges filed in early November a prohibited-personnel-practices complaint against the Social Security Administration that alleged that he was retaliated against for blowing the whistle.

Read more on MarketWatch

Ramsey retaliated by throwing a punch at Chase and was ejected.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But, Bessent warned, if Beijing balks, the United States has "lots of levers" to retaliate.

Read more on Barron's

Its threats ramped up during the 12-day conflict with Israel in June - during which Israel and United States carried out a bombing campaign on Iran's nuclear facilities, and Iran retaliated by striking Israel.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• reciprocate