retaliation

[ri-tal-ee-ey-shuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR retaliation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of retaliating; return of like for like; reprisal.

Nearby words

Origin of retaliation

First recorded in 1575–85; retaliate + -ion

Related formscoun·ter·re·tal·i·a·tion, nounnon·re·tal·i·a·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for retaliation

The decision not to run the cartoons is motivated by nothing more than fear: either fear of offending or fear of retaliation.
Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too|John Avlon|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And U.S. lawmakers are pushing to involve China in any retaliation against the Sony hack.
Obama Could Hit China to Punish North Korea|Shane Harris, Tim Mak|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of how incredibly petty the offense can be and how insanely disproportionate the retaliation can be.
Of Gamers, Gates, and Disco Demolition: The Roots of Reactionary Rage|Arthur Chu|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If this is to be achieved, man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation.
Martin Luther King’s Nobel Speech Is an Often Ignored Masterpiece|Malcolm Jones|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

What he fails to realize is that he is imposing the same urban title on his family in retaliation.
‘black-ish’ Keeps It Real about the Invisible Black Man|Judnick Mayard|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In retaliation a force under General Pickens marched into their country, destroying their towns as far as Valley river.
Myths of the Cherokee|James Mooney
In retaliation for some real or fancied grievance, a few irresponsibles commenced throwing things out of a top-storey window.
New Zealanders at Gallipoli|Major Fred Waite
Had they been promptly executed, the Rebels would never have dared, in retaliation, to hurt the hair of a prisoners head.
The Secret Service.|Albert D. Richardson
Even Goldsmith takes a fling at him in Retaliation, which appeared about this time.
The Amenities of Book-Collecting and Kindred Affections|A. Edward Newton
But the mildest of men do not often view opportunities of retaliation with entire indifference.
Ten Tudor Statesmen|Arthur D. Innes

Word Origin and History for retaliation

retaliation

1580s, noun of action from Late Latin retaliare "pay back in kind," from re- "back" (see re-) + Latin talio "exaction of payment in kind," from or influenced by talis "suchlike" (see that). Originally used both in good and evil senses.

retaliation

noun

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Origin of retaliation

Examples from the Web for retaliation

retaliation