Library / English Dictionary

RETALIATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil

Example:

The Israeli army retaliated for the Hamas bombing

Synonyms:

retaliate; strike back

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "retaliate" is one way to...):

hit; strike (make a strategic, offensive, assault against an enemy, opponent, or a target)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

retaliation (action taken in return for an injury or offense)

retaliatory (of or relating to or having the nature of retribution)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Take revenge for a perceived wrong

Example:

He wants to avenge the murder of his brother

Synonyms:

avenge; retaliate; revenge

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "retaliate" is one way to...):

penalise; penalize; punish (impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "retaliate"):

get back; get even (take revenge or even out a score)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

retaliation (action taken in return for an injury or offense)

retaliator (someone who takes vengeance)

retaliatory (of or relating to or having the nature of retribution)

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