Retaliate Meaning
/ɹɪˈtæl.i.eɪt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo do something harmful or negative to get revenge for some harm; to fight back or respond in kind to an injury or affront.
verbTo repay or requite by an act of the same kind.
Sentence Examples
How can you be so passive? Why don't you retaliate?
He wants to retaliate.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the enemy attacked our camp, the soldiers planned to ____ with a fierce counterattack.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The country threatened to ____ with trade tariffs if the other nation did not withdraw its sanctions.
Word Origin & History
From Latin retāliātus, past participle of retāliō (“to requite, retaliate”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"One ambassador sent word to the duke's son that his visit should be retaliated."
— 1634, T[homas] H[erbert], A Relation of Some Yeares Trauaile, Begunne Anno 1626. into Afrique and the Greater Asia, […], London: […] William Stansby, and Jacob Bloome, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the enemy attacked our camp, the soldiers planned to ____ with a fierce counterattack.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The country threatened to ____ with trade tariffs if the other nation did not withdraw its sanctions.