Retaliate

Pronunciation: /rɪˈtæliˌeɪt/

Definitions of retaliate

verb to return like for like; to repay an injury or wrong

Example Sentences

A1 If someone hits you, you should not retaliate.

A2 She retaliated by spreading rumors about her coworker.

B1 The country vowed to retaliate against any acts of aggression.

B2 The company decided to retaliate by lowering their prices to compete with the new competitor.

C1 The government retaliated with economic sanctions in response to the trade tariffs.

C2 The military retaliated with a strategic airstrike after the enemy's surprise attack.

Examples of retaliate in a Sentence

formal The country warned it would retaliate against any further aggression.

informal If he insults you again, feel free to retaliate.

slang Don't worry, I'll clap back and retaliate against them.

figurative She decided to retaliate by ignoring his calls and messages.

Grammatical Forms of retaliate

• past tense: retaliated
• plural: retaliates
• comparative: more retaliatory
• superlative: most retaliatory
• present tense: retaliates
• future tense: will retaliate
• perfect tense: has retaliated
• continuous tense: is retaliating
• singular: retaliates
• positive degree: retaliatory
• infinitive: retaliate
• gerund: retaliating
• participle: retaliated

Origin and Evolution of retaliate

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'retaliate' originated from the Latin word 'retaliare', which means to repay in kind.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'retaliate' has evolved to encompass the act of responding to an attack or injury with a similar action, often in a defensive or vengeful manner.