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retaliate

verb
re路​tal路​i路​ate | \ ri-藞ta-l膿-藢膩t How to pronounce retaliate (audio) \
retaliated; retaliating

Definition of retaliate

intransitive verb

: to return like for like especially : to get revenge

transitive verb

: to repay in kind retaliate an injury
Other Words from retaliate Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about retaliate

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Other Words from retaliate

retaliation \ ri-​藢ta-​l膿-​藞膩-​sh蓹n How to pronounce retaliation (audio) , 藢r膿-​ \ noun
retaliative \ ri-​藞ta-​l膿-​藢膩-​tiv How to pronounce retaliative (audio) \ adjective
retaliatory \ ri-​藞tal-​y蓹-​藢t券r-​膿 How to pronounce retaliatory (audio) , -​藞ta-​l膿-​蓹-​ \ adjective

Synonyms for retaliate

Synonyms

avenge, redress, requite, revenge, venge [archaic]

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Choose the Right Synonym for retaliate

reciprocate, retaliate, requite, return mean to give back usually in kind or in quantity. reciprocate implies a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what one has received. reciprocated their hospitality by inviting them for a visit retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully. the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently. requited her love with cold indifference return implies a paying or giving back. returned their call return good for evil

Examples of retaliate in a Sentence

After the company announced plans to reduce benefits, the union threatened to retaliate by calling for a strike. retaliated his neighbor's malicious destruction of his flower garden by cutting down the man's prize apple tree

Recent Examples on the Web

 On Sunday, the United States imposed a 15% tariff on some $110 billion worth of Chinese imports, while Beijing retaliated with 5% to 10% levies on about $75 billion of American imports. — Anneken Tappe, CNN, "Dow set to slide on new tariffs and global economic troubles," 3 Sep. 2019 President Donald Trump came close to retaliating but called off an airstrike at the last moment. — Washington Post, "Iranian oil tanker pursued by US says it is going to Turkey," 24 Aug. 2019 Caffrey said she was retaliated against for her work leading a study on the potential impacts of sea level rise and storm surge on coastal national parks under future climate change scenarios. — Georgina Gustin, sun-sentinel.com, "Top CDC health and climate scientist files whistleblower complaint," 18 Aug. 2019 The suit alleges company executives retaliated against her for flagging cybersecurity risks and potential violations of anti-money-laundering laws, child exploitation, and data misuse. — Paris Martineau, WIRED, "Second Life Is Plagued by Security Flaws, Ex-Employee Says," 16 Aug. 2019 This category's youngest nominee, at 20, plays Gypsy Rose Blanchard, a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy who retaliated against her mother (played by Arquette). — Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Emmys: Weighing the Odds in the Races for Lead Actor and Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie," 15 Aug. 2019 Trump came close to retaliating, but called off an airstrike at the last moment. — Amir Vahdat, BostonGlobe.com, "UK joins US Strait of Hormuz mission; Iran slams sanctions," 5 Aug. 2019 Discriminating or retaliating against employees for becoming or being pregnant is against the law. — Kate Cox, Ars Technica, "Google has a problem with pregnant workers, employee memo alleges," 5 Aug. 2019 On June 20, Iran shot down an American drone in the same waterway, and Trump came close to retaliating but called off an airstrike at the last moment. — Fox News, "Iran claims video shows U.S. did not down its drone," 20 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retaliate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of retaliate

1606, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

History and Etymology for retaliate

Late Latin retaliatus, past participle of retaliare, from Latin re- + talio legal retaliation

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More Definitions for retaliate

retaliate

verb
How to pronounce retaliate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of retaliate

: to do something bad to someone who has hurt you or treated you badly : to get revenge against someone

See the full definition for retaliate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

retaliate

verb
re路​tal路​i路​ate | \ ri-藞ta-l膿-藢膩t How to pronounce retaliate (audio) \
retaliated; retaliating

Kids Definition of retaliate

: to get revenge by returning like for like

retaliate

intransitive verb
re路​tal路​i路​ate | \ ri-藞ta-l膿-藢膩t How to pronounce retaliate (audio) \
retaliated; retaliating

Legal Definition of retaliate

: to act in revenge

Other Words from retaliate

retaliation \ -​藢ta-​l膿-​藞膩-​sh蓹n How to pronounce retaliation (audio) \ noun
retaliative \ -​藞ta-​l膿-​藢膩-​tiv How to pronounce retaliative (audio) \ adjective
retaliatory \ -​藞tal-​y蓹-​藢t艒r-​膿

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