RETALIATE Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

retaliate

verb

ri-ˈta-lē-ˌāt

Definition of retaliate

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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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 If the company chooses to obey, the Chinese might retaliate with the denial of crucial rare-earth metals. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 But after a 9-yard TD run from Carroll running back Brooks Biggers, Keller’s offense failed to retaliate and a 12-yard punt made matters worse for the Indians. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026 Canada retaliated with its own set of near-analogous duties on more than $20 billion in American goods in early September. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky has defended the strikes as a crucial way of retaliating against Russia. — Julia Boehning, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retaliate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliate

avenge

Verb

Now the Redhawks get the chance to avenge their 3-0 regular-season loss to Naperville North.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Commerce has avenged four 2025 losses (East Jackson, Elbert County, Oglethorpe County, Rabun County), the most of any GHSA school this season.

— Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of avenge

Browse Nearby Words

retaking

retaliate

retaliated

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“Retaliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of retaliate

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