as in revenge
the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury
police believe that the murder was in retaliation for an earlier gangland execution
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Recent Examples of retaliation
The spokesperson did not address questions regarding whether the raids were done in retaliation for the group’s monitoring of immigration raids.
—
Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
But public opinion has flipped since 2023, when Israel, in retaliation for Hamas’s October 7th attack, launched a military campaign in Gaza.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
That includes Moscow cutting off natural gas supplies to Europe in retaliation for sanctions the West imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 May 2026
But with some time to face and understand Guyer standout pitcher Finley Montgomery, a Notre Dame pledge, Byron Nelson’s offense came alive and scored three in retaliation in the first frame.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2026
Al-Saadi would use various social media accounts to promote terrorist attacks and pledge retaliation, according to the complaint.
—Mark Morales, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
May 15, 2026 Share full article A commander of an Iraqi militia has been charged with plotting to attack Jewish sites in the United States, including a synagogue in New York, and carrying out attacks in Europe as part of a broader campaign of retaliation by Iran since the war began in February.
—New York Times, 15 May 2026
So the claims remaining for Lively at trial would have included breach of contract and retaliation.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 14 May 2026
In a Wednesday, May 13, report, Axios detailed allegations of misconduct and reported that at least one staffer complained to Edwards’ chief of staff about his comments on her appearance and feared retaliation.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
But public opinion has flipped since 2023, when Israel, in retaliation for Hamas’s October 7th attack, launched a military campaign in Gaza.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
That includes Moscow cutting off natural gas supplies to Europe in retaliation for sanctions the West imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 May 2026
But with some time to face and understand Guyer standout pitcher Finley Montgomery, a Notre Dame pledge, Byron Nelson’s offense came alive and scored three in retaliation in the first frame.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2026
Al-Saadi would use various social media accounts to promote terrorist attacks and pledge retaliation, according to the complaint.
—Mark Morales, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
May 15, 2026 Share full article A commander of an Iraqi militia has been charged with plotting to attack Jewish sites in the United States, including a synagogue in New York, and carrying out attacks in Europe as part of a broader campaign of retaliation by Iran since the war began in February.
—New York Times, 15 May 2026
So the claims remaining for Lively at trial would have included breach of contract and retaliation.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 14 May 2026
In a Wednesday, May 13, report, Axios detailed allegations of misconduct and reported that at least one staffer complained to Edwards’ chief of staff about his comments on her appearance and feared retaliation.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliation
Noun
-
Late in the finale, Stiles is in pursuit of Wilder, but Stiles’ teenage son Noah (Cedric Joe) is seeking his own revenge for Wilder killing his grandfather.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
Adapted from her 2018 play, the story centers on two sisters (Broadway favorite Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on an epic quest for revenge.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had vowed retribution on Friday following Russia’s heaviest drone and missile attack on Kyiv over a two-day period since the war started more than four years ago.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
-
Smith’s participation in this crime is inexcusable, but Smith owned up to his crime, told the truth in court despite fear of retribution and threats, and has now accepted responsibility and received this long prison sentence.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliation. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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