retaliate
verb
re·tal·i·ate
ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt 
retaliated; retaliating
: to return like for like
especially
: to get revenge
: to repay in kind
retaliate an injury
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
Reuters reported that Ukraine also struck the Ryazan oil refinery last week, and Russia retaliated against the two oil refinery strikes by launching drones to hit various cities across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
The Israeli government retaliated by delaying the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners by several hours.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
Several lawmakers asked Lutnick about rising costs for both U.S. companies and consumers — especially if other countries retaliate with tariffs of their own on American exports.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 29 Jan. 2025
Colombia retaliated with its own tariffs, igniting the brief standoff.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for retaliate 
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
The Israeli government retaliated by delaying the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners by several hours.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
Several lawmakers asked Lutnick about rising costs for both U.S. companies and consumers — especially if other countries retaliate with tariffs of their own on American exports.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 29 Jan. 2025
Colombia retaliated with its own tariffs, igniting the brief standoff.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for retaliate
Dictionary Entries Near retaliate
Cite this Entry
“Retaliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retaliate. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
retaliate
verb
re·tal·i·ate
ri-ˈtal-ē-ˌāt
retaliated; retaliating
: to return (as an injury) in kind : get revenge
Legal Definition
retaliate
intransitive verb
re·tal·i·ate
ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt
retaliated; retaliating
: to act in revenge
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