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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Origin of retaliate

1605–15; <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, -tohr-ee], /rɪˈtæl i əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr 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, adjectiveun·re·tal·i·a·to·ry, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use retaliate in a sentence

Offended or threatened by the assault on its honor, China retaliated with a slew of economic sanctions against Australian imports, including sugar, barley, wheat, copper, and—most recently—wine.
Australia’s ‘approachable’ wine won over China’s middle class. Then came the tariffs|eamonbarrett|December 7, 2020|Fortune
“It’s stunning that Uber is willing to tell the court ’we promise we won’t retaliate,’ ” Lowe said, yet it argued it couldn’t be told to tell that to the drivers.
Court rejects Uber drivers’ bid to bar app from pushing political message on employment status|Faiz Siddiqui, Reed Albergotti|October 28, 2020|Washington Post
In his response to the complaint submitted to the court, the lawyer representing the company denied that ASO had retaliated against Collins for whistleblowing, asserting he had resigned.
Workers are getting fired and penalized for reporting COVID safety violations|lbelanger225|October 23, 2020|Fortune
China retaliated with steep duties on American agricultural goods.
Robert Lighthizer Blew Up 60 Years of Trade Policy. Nobody Knows What Happens Next.|by Lydia DePillis|October 13, 2020|ProPublica

Switzerland retaliated by banning trading in Swiss shares on EU venues.
In London, a Europe-heavy stock exchange is facing down Brexit|kdunn6|October 8, 2020|Fortune
Persuading China to block the north is a lot easier than the U.S. launching a retaliatory cyberstrike against the Sony attackers.
Obama Could Hit China to Punish North Korea|Shane Harris, Tim Mak|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In order to satisfy the husband of the initial victim, the village chief decided that he would carry out the retaliatory rape.
How India’s Honor Culture Perpetuates Mass Rape|Amana Fontanella-Khan|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the other, it has refused to endorse a Western-led retaliatory strike.
Is Obama Going to War Just to ‘Check the Box’?|Lloyd Green|August 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Timely intelligence was proving key in combating the gang problem, where many of the shootings are retaliatory.
Chicago Police Say Shooting Deaths Are Declining|Michael Daly|May 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The results could well include retaliatory tariffs that cost thousands of jobs.
The Part of Obama's Budget that Could Spark a Trade War|Justin Green|April 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Girondists knew to whom they were indebted for many of the most skillful parries and retaliatory blows.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
To this it may be answered that punishment for crime is not intended to be retaliatory, but admonitory and deterrent.
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce|Ambrose Bierce
The indignation over the action of the Indians was so great that retaliatory measures were determined upon.
The Life of Kit Carson|Edward S. Ellis
Time and again complaints have been voiced, retaliatory measures threatened, and more than once serious friction has ensued.
The Ethics of Coperation|James Hayden Tufts
Thus, from the retaliatory measures of these two rival powers, the commerce of the United States was seriously injured.
Great Events in the History of North and South America|Charles A. Goodrich

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