What does retaliate mean?
Definitions for retaliate
rɪˈtæl iˌeɪtre·tal·i·ate
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word retaliate.
Princeton's WordNet
revenge, avenge, retaliateverb
take revenge for a perceived wrong
"He wants to avenge the murder of his brother"
retaliate, strike backverb
make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil
"The Empire strikes back"; "The Giants struck back and won the opener"; "The Israeli army retaliated for the Hamas bombing"
Wiktionary
retaliateverb
To do something harmful or negative to get revenge for some harm; to fight back or respond in kind to an injury or affront.
John replied to Peter's insult with a verbal attack to retaliate for Peter's acid remark earlier.
Etymology: From retaliatus, past participle of retaliare, from re + talis.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
To RETALIATEverb
To return by giving like for like; to repay; to requite.
Etymology: re and talio, Lat.
It is very unlucky, to be obliged to retaliate the injuries of authors, whose works are so soon forgotten, that we are in danger of appearing the first aggressors. Jonathan Swift.
If a first minister of state had used me as you have done, retaliating would be thought a mark of courage. Jonathan Swift.
Wikipedia
retaliate
Revenge is committing a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. Primitive justice or retributive justice is often differentiated from more formal and refined forms of justice such as distributive justice and divine judgment.
Webster Dictionary
Retaliateverb
to return the like for; to repay or requite by an act of the same kind; to return evil for (evil). [Now seldom used except in a bad sense.]
Retaliateverb
to return like for like; specifically, to return evil for evil; as, to retaliate upon an enemy
Etymology: [L. retaliatus, p. p. of retaliare to retaliate; pref. re- re- + a word akin to talio talion, retaliation. Cf. Talion.]
Freebase
Retaliate
Retaliate is the debut album of Maryland deathgrind band Misery Index. Track 5 was previously recorded and released on a split with Structure of Lies.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Retaliate
rē-tal′i-āt, v.t. to return like for like: to repay.—v.i. to return like for like.—n. Retaliā′tion, act of retaliating: 'lex talionis:' retribution.—adjs. Retal′iātive, Retal′iātory, returning like for like. [L. retaliāre, -ātum—re-, in return, talio, -onis, like for like—talis, of such a kind.]
Matched Categories
Anagrams for retaliate »
aliterate
elettaria
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of retaliate in Chaldean Numerology is: 8
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of retaliate in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1
Examples of retaliate in a Sentence
Rather than address our legitimate concerns, China has begun to retaliate against President Donald Trump products, there is no justification for such action.
However, we will retaliate against this. Our relations will normalize when Israel stops its inhumane policies.
Trade war is not a risk but a reality, u.S. tariffs are going up against China but also against some of its traditional allies, such as Canada and the European Union. They are all about to retaliate and today we do not see an easy way out.
It is completely illegal for employers to retaliate against employees who complain about workplace discrimination, but this is exactly what Robert De Niro did to Ms. Robinson, inventing claims to ruin her reputation and humiliate her because he knew she was going to expose his behavior.
The Chinese have to do the tit-for-tat, they have to retaliate.
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Translations for retaliate
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- sich rächen, Vergeltung übenGerman
- tomar represaliasSpanish
- kostaa, vastata samalla mitallaFinnish
- riposterFrench
- megbosszul, bosszút áll, megtorol, elégtételt veszHungarian
- svara í sömu mynt, gjalda líku líkt, hefna sínIcelandic
- vendicarsiItalian
- rautupu, rautipuMāori
- zemścić sięPolish
- retaliarPortuguese
- отомстить, мститьRussian
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"retaliate." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 7 Jun 2023. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/retaliate>.
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