Lexic.us

Definition of Retaliate

1. Verb. Take revenge for a perceived wrong. "He wants to avenge the murder of his brother"

2. Verb. Make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil. "The Israeli army retaliated for the Hamas bombing"

Definition of Retaliate

1. v. t. To return the like for; to repay or requite by an act of the same kind; to return evil for (evil). [Now seldom used except in a bad sense.]

2. v. i. To return like for like; specifically, to return evil for evil; as, to retaliate upon an enemy.

Definition of Retaliate

1. Verb. To do something harmful or negative to get revenge for some harm; to fight back or respond in kind to an injury or affront. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Retaliate

1. [v -ATED, -ATING, -ATES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Retaliate

retainer retainers retaining retaining wall retaining walls retainment retainments retains retake retaken

retaker retakers retakes retaking retakings retaliate (current term) retaliated retaliates retaliating retaliation

retaliations retaliative retaliator retaliatorily retaliators retaliatory retaliatory eviction retallied retallies retally

Literary usage of Retaliate

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Vicar of Wakefield: A Tale by Oliver Goldsmith (1825)
"But perhaps, Madam, while I thus reprehend others, you'll think it just that I should give them an opportunity to retaliate; and indeed I liave made this ..."

2. Chronological History of the West Indies by Thomas Southey (1827)
"We think it necessary to add, that we will certainly resent and retaliate for any injurious treatment that may be offered to any one of our nation under ..."

3. The Living Age by Making of America Project, Eliakim Littell, Robert S. Littell (1887)
"In 1448 he employed it to repel and retaliate for an English invasion ; but it was equally available for civil war. His operations against Crichton in 1443 ..."

4. Elements of International Law by Henry Wheaton, Richard Henry Dana (1866)
"... since that enemy might, in almost every instance, retaliate with much more injurious effect. Hence, though the prerogative of confiscating such debts, ..."

5. The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses by George Washington (1847)
"Their sufferings demand immediate redress; and, unless I obtain the most satisfactory assurances on this head, duty will constrain me to retaliate instantly ..."

6. Diary of the American Revolution: From Newspapers and Original Documents by Frank Moore (1860)
"... to be released, for an equal number of honest citizens stolen and imprisoned in like manner, being determined in the future thus to retaliate, ..."

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