retaliation

noun

Definition of retaliationnext
as in revenge
the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury police believe that the murder was in retaliation for an earlier gangland execution

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 retaliation The suit calls not merely for reinstatement of access that has already been impacted, but for a broad injunction that would protect from retaliation every news outlet that covers the White House -- now, and in the future. — Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026 The Hashemite Kingdom’s air force Monday evening carried out airstrikes in Syria in retaliation for last week’s attacks on a funeral at a Greek Orthodox Church in the southern Jordanian city of Karak that killed nine people. — Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 In retaliation, the Democratic leaderships of California and Virginia began planning gerrymandering schemes of their own, hoping to offset the emerging Republican seat grab. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 One woman, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from the nursing home, claimed her mother ended up contracting sepsis and nearly died because staff neglected to oversee her needs. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026 Countries in the Middle East are concerned that a fresh US offensive against Iran would invite further Iranian retaliation after eight months of instability in the Middle East. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 Sources also described threats and a pattern of prolonged retaliation, alleging that Pereira continued targeting some critics online for months or years after their initial disputes. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026 Then, Hamas took control of Gaza, Israel imposed a blockade, there were years of Hamas rocket fire into Israel and Israeli retaliation. — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026 Others privately expressed fear that Henderson would provoke retaliation from the President, perhaps causing the state to lose pending federal grants to build nuclear power plants and to restore the Great Salt Lake. — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliation
  1. revenge
  2. retribution
Noun
  • When asked whether Kessler’s return would spark extra motivation for the Jazz, Utah coach Will Hardy dispelled any suggestions of revenge.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Wu stars alongside Chris Pratt, a NAVY seal out for revenge after the murder of his family.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of revenge
Noun
  • Three of the individuals spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution.
    — Ryan Lucas, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Over time, Buddhism introduced ideas of reincarnation and karmic retribution, linking a person's fate after death to their actions in life.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of retribution

Browse Nearby Words

retaliating
retaliation
retaliations
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Cite this Entry

“Retaliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliation. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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