retaliate

[ ri-tal-ee-eyt ]

/ rɪˈtæl iˌeɪt /

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See synonyms for: retaliate / retaliated on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), re·tal·i·at·ed, re·tal·i·at·ing.

to return like for like, especially evil for evil: to retaliate for an injury.

verb (used with object), re·tal·i·at·ed, re·tal·i·at·ing.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR retaliate

1 counter, repay, reciprocate.

See synonyms for retaliate on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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 -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM retaliate

re·tal·i·a·tive, re·tal·i·a·to·ry

[ri-tal-ee-uh-tawr-ee,], /rɪˈtæl i əˌtɔr i,/, adjectivere·tal·i·a·tor, nounun·re·tal·i·at·ed, adjectiveun·re·tal·i·at·ing, adjective

un·re·tal·i·a·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use retaliate in a sentence

Indeed, many WeChat users have told CPIFC that they feel real fear that the Party-state or its agents will retaliate against them or their family, and that, as a result, they self-censor — despite the fact that they live in California.
California plaintiffs sue Chinese tech giant Tencent, alleging WeChat app is censoring and surveilling them|Jeanne Whalen|January 20, 2021|Washington Post
When officers were hit in the face with bear spray, they did not have the equipment or weapons to retaliate, he added.
Several Capitol police officers suspended, more than a dozen under investigation over actions related to rally, riot|Aaron Davis, Rebecca Tan, Beth Reinhard|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
The ruling stands, which would mean the WTO could authorize China to retaliate.
Robert Lighthizer Blew Up 60 Years of Trade Policy. Nobody Knows What Happens Next.|by Lydia DePillis|October 13, 2020|ProPublica
Cops then retaliated with a raid of their own on a gay bar in the Castro.
Castro Street’s Hot Cop Is the Batman to Sexy Mug Shot Guy’s Joker|Itay Hod|July 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Many Moroccan loyalists retaliated, looting and pillaging Sahrawi neighborhoods.
Are Polisario Camps Becoming Prime Recruiting Grounds for al Qaeda?|Vivian Salama|October 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She retaliated by using her telekinetic powers to overturn their party bus.
‘Boy Parts’ Proves ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ Is the Boldest Drama on TV|Kevin Fallon|October 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Fatah retaliated by trying to overthrow Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinians 'Everywhere' to Vote on Any Deal with Israel|Maysoon Zayid|September 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is clear as day that the department retaliated toward me for reporting XXXX for kicking Mr. XXXX.
Rogue L.A. Cop’s Facebook Manifesto: ‘You Will Now Live the Life of Prey’|The Daily Beast|February 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
So the Spaniards retaliated with revenge, the weapon of the weak, that "wild kind of justice."
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
They retaliated by a few shots, and the whole party re-embarked.
Celebrated Travels and Travellers|Jules Verne
The German government retaliated by a decree of the Reichsbank refusing to deal with Russian paper.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 8|Various
Lekain retaliated by giving publicity to certain episodes in the lady's private life which did not redound to her credit.
Queens of the French Stage|H. Noel Williams
Many men would have retaliated: he felt their griefs, their wrongs, as keenly as they did.
The Shadow of Ashlydyat|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for retaliate

retaliate

/ (rɪˈtælɪˌeɪt) /

verb

(intr) to take retributory action, esp by returning some injury or wrong in kind

(intr) to cast (accustations) back upon a person

(tr) rare to avenge (an injury, wrong, etc)

Derived forms of retaliate

retaliation, nounretaliative or retaliatory, adjectiveretaliator, noun

Word Origin for retaliate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

retaliate

OTHER WORDS FOR retaliate

Origin of retaliate

OTHER WORDS FROM retaliate

Words related to retaliate

How to use retaliate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for retaliate

Derived forms of retaliate

Word Origin for retaliate