retaliate
to return like for like, especially evil for evil: to retaliate for an injury.
to requite or make return for (a wrong or injury) with the like.
Origin of retaliate
1Other words for retaliate
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,/, adjective
- re·tal·i·a·tor, noun
- un·re·tal·i·at·ed, adjective
- un·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. 2024
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 PostWhen 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 PostThe 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 | ProPublicaCops 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 | THE DAILY BEASTMany Moroccan loyalists retaliated, looting and pillaging Sahrawi neighborhoods.
Are Polisario Camps Becoming Prime Recruiting Grounds for al Qaeda? | Vivian Salama | October 21, 2013 | THE 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 | THE DAILY BEASTFatah retaliated by trying to overthrow Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinians 'Everywhere' to Vote on Any Deal with Israel | Maysoon Zayid | September 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIt 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 | THE DAILY BEASTSo the Spaniards retaliated with revenge, the weapon of the weak, that "wild kind of justice."
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonThey retaliated by a few shots, and the whole party re-embarked.
Celebrated Travels and Travellers | Jules VerneThe German government retaliated by a decree of the Reichsbank refusing to deal with Russian paper.
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 WilliamsMany 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
/ (rɪˈtælɪˌeɪt) /
(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)
Origin of retaliate
1Derived forms of retaliate
- retaliation, noun
- retaliative or retaliatory, adjective
- retaliator, noun
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
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