retaliate
verb (used without object)
to return like for like, especially evil for evil.
retaliating
-
present participleof retaliate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said it would refrain from retaliating against the Iraqi militias at the request of Baghdad.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
BGC says it has strong policies protecting whistleblowers from retaliation and denies retaliating against Andriesz.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Late in the second quarter, Cade Cunningham barged Stephon Castle to the floor, angering Spurs teammate Keldon Johnson who earned a technical foul for retaliating.
From Barron's ● Feb. 24, 2026
And we would be right to laugh or clap back more often, retaliating against those towns that take themselves too seriously.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026
In that case, then, the way I’d talked about her slap on the elbow thing could be seen as a betrayal, and she might well then have felt justified retaliating as she had.
From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
