Synonyms for retaliate
Most common
All synonyms
Verb
1. Avenge
avenge, revenge, take revenge, get back at, requite, return, repay, retort
Other
strike back, get even informal, tar out slang dated
Definitions
- v. 1
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 insulted Peter to retaliate for Peter's acid remark earlier.
Related words
- Word family
- retaliation retaliative retaliator retaliatory
Forms
- Past participle
- retaliated
e.g. retaliated → avenged, revenged, requited, return'd…
Choose the right word
To retaliate may be necessary for self-defense, without the idea of revenge.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- revenge I'll take my revenge on him at all costs tomorrow.
- avenge He killed him in order to avenge his father's death.
By length
- 5 letters
- repay2
- 6 letters
- return2, avenge2, retort2
- 7 letters
- revenge2, requite
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (repay2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- riposter