retaliate
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for retaliate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To respond to harm done to you by causing harm in return.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
strike back
Antonyms
How to use retaliate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
retaliate against
threaten to retaliate
Etymology
From Latin retaliare, "to repay in kind," related to talio, the legal principle of "an eye for an eye."
Full origin of retaliate →Frequently asked questions
What does “retaliate” mean?
The word “retaliate” means to respond to harm done to you by causing harm in return. In plain terms, to hit back after being wronged, rather than starting the conflict.
How do you pronounce “retaliate”?
“Retaliate” is pronounced rih-TAL-ee-ayt (/ɹɪˈtæl.i.eɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “retaliate” in a sentence?
Here is “retaliate” used in a sentence: “The country threatened to retaliate if the sanctions weren't lifted.”
What part of speech is “retaliate”?
“Retaliate” is a verb.
Where does the word “retaliate” come from?
The word “retaliate” comes from Latin. From Latin retaliare, "to repay in kind," related to talio, the legal principle of "an eye for an eye.".
