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

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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)

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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

He says this is the case because "countries didn't retaliate strongly against the US".

From BBC

A former Saks stylist accused of stealing thousands of dollars in fraudulent returns is suing the luxury retailer, alleging that Saks retaliated against him for getting a job offer from a rival department-store chain.

From The Wall Street Journal

One of Beijing's biggest bird dealers found out he was being investigated by Silva and retaliated.

From BBC

Commission Chair Haley Broder described the inmates as “some of the most vulnerable women on earth. They can’t do anything; they’re locked in cells and being retaliated against if they report it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Cambodia's defence ministry said it was Thai forces that had attacked first, in Preah Vihear province, and insisted that Cambodia did not retaliate.

From BBC

Related Words

• reciprocate