Synonyms for retaliatory
- adjective
Most common
All synonyms
Adjective
1. Punitive
punitive, retributive, vindictive, vindicatory, retributory, retaliative, retributionary, punitory dated
Other
vengeful, revengeful dated
Definitions
- adj. 1
Relating to or part of a retaliation.
The hostile forces were at an impasse; neither could attack with enough force and still defend against the retaliatory counterattack.
Example sentences
- punitive We are paying punitive damages of two million dollars.
- vindictive He became quite vindictive after his wife left him.
- vengeful Bruno was vengeful and filled with rage.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| retaliatory | steady | |
| punitive | rising | |
| vindictive | rising | |
| retributive | rising | |
| vindicatory | rising | |
| vengeful | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 8 letters
- punitive3, vengeful2, punitory
- 10 letters
- vindictive3, revengeful
- 11 letters
- retributive, vindicatory, retributory, retaliative
- 14 letters
- retributionary
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (punitive3 = 3 syllables).