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

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

Seizures on the high seas are far rarer—especially when vessels are tied to Iran—because Tehran has a record of retaliating by detaining Western ships.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said the accusations in the police report are an effort by Saks to retaliate against him for considering a new job with a competitor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Liu retaliated against them after the employees refused to engage in deceptive business practices and raised concerns, the lawsuits say.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• reciprocate