Need another word for Retaliate? Use these synonyms of Retaliate from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
avenge
revenge
repay
requite
reciprocate
retort
strike back
fight back
hit back
get back
pay back
settle the score
take revenge
exact revenge
get revenge
wreak vengeance
take vengeance
exact vengeance
inflict punishment
impose punishment
give as good as one gets
give someone a taste of their own medicine
return like for like
return fire
counterattack
counterpunch
fight fire with fire
take an eye for an eye
take a tooth for a tooth
Meaning of Retaliate
to respond to an attack or injury by attacking or injuring someone or something in return
Definitions
- To take revenge or exact punishment for a perceived or actual injury or insult
- * To respond to an attack or aggression with a similar attack or aggression
Etymology of Retaliate
The word "retaliate" comes from the Latin words "retaliare" or "retalio", which mean "to return like for like" or "to repay in kind"
The word has been used in the English language since the 17th century to describe the act of responding to an attack or injury with a similar attack or injury
Example Uses
- The company will retaliate against the competitor's aggressive marketing tactics
- * She retaliated against her ex-boyfriend by posting negative comments about him on social media
- * The country retaliated against the trade embargo by imposing its own tariffs on imports