as in to avenge
to punish in kind the wrongdoer responsible for retaliated his neighbor's malicious destruction of his flower garden by cutting down the man's prize apple tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb retaliate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of retaliate are reciprocate, requite, and return. While all these words mean "to give back usually in kind or in quantity," retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully.

the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners

When is reciprocate a more appropriate choice than retaliate?

While in some cases nearly identical to retaliate, 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

Where would requite be a reasonable alternative to retaliate?

While the synonyms requite and retaliate are close in meaning, requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently.

requited her love with cold indifference

When could return be used to replace retaliate?

The words return and retaliate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, return implies a paying or giving back.

returned their call
return good for evil

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retaliate Soon after Biden signed the bill to ban TikTok in April, the company and a consortium of its users retaliated by filing lawsuits accusing the federal government of violating their First Amendment rights. Makena Kelly, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025 After a running play, Evans shoved Lattimore, who retaliated by pushing Evans in the back. Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025 Darien is accused of retaliating against Eiswert for a school investigation. Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025 In the 80-page December 20 filing obtained by Vulture, the complaint, which is a precursor to a lawsuit, details Lively’s issues with Baldoni throughout production that influenced Baldoni to retaliate against Lively during the film’s press tour. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for retaliate 

Thesaurus Entries Near retaliate

Cite this Entry

“Retaliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on retaliate

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