Meaning & Definition of Retaliate in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: To take revenge for a perceived wrong or injury.

  Example Sentence: After being insulted, he felt it was necessary to retaliate.

• Definition: To return an injury or wrong.

  Example Sentence: The country decided to retaliate against the attack.

Etymology

Origin: Late Latin 'retaliatus', past participle of 'retaliare', meaning to return an injury.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• an eye for an eye: the principle of retribution or revenge where one punishes another in a similar manner.
• tit for tat: a situation in which one action is met with a similar action, often in retaliation.

Translations

• Spanish: retaliar

• French: répliquer

• German: vergelten

• Russian: наносить ответный удар

Related Words

• retaliation: the act of retaliating or taking revenge.

• revenge: the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong.

• reprisal: an act of retaliation.

Slang Meanings of retaliate

• Meaning: Get back at someone.

  Example Sentence: She plans to get back at him for spreading rumors.

• Meaning: Payback.

  Example Sentence: He always believes in payback when someone crosses him.