Antonyms for retaliate
rɪˈtæl iˌeɪtre·tal·i·ate

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. retaliate

   Avenge and revenge, once close synonyms, are now far apart in meaning. To avenge is to visit some offense with punishment, in order to vindicate the righteous, or to uphold and illustrate the right by the suffering or destruction of the wicked. "And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian," Acts vii, 24. To revenge is to inflict harm or suffering upon another through personal anger and resentment at something done to ourselves. Avenge is unselfish; revenge is selfish. Revenge, according to present usage, could not be said of God. To retaliate may be necessary for self-defense, without the idea of revenge. Compare REVENGE.

   Synonyms:
   avenge, punish, revenge, vindicate, visit

   Preposition:
   Avenge on or upon (rarely, avenge oneself of) a wrong-doer.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. retaliate

   Antonyms:
   pardon, condone, forgive

   Synonyms:
   avenge, retort, repay, requite

Matched Categories

1. • Punish

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. revenge, avenge, retaliateverb

   take revenge for a perceived wrong

   "He wants to avenge the murder of his brother"

   Synonyms:
   strike back, revenge, avenge

2. retaliate, strike backverb

   make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil

   "The Empire strikes back"; "The Giants struck back and won the opener"; "The Israeli army retaliated for the Hamas bombing"

   Synonyms:
   avenge, strike back, revenge

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. retaliateverb

   Synonyms:
   avenge, requite, repay

How to use retaliate in a sentence?

1. Le Maire:

   If the Americans decide to go ahead and impose sanctions against the digital tax ... in this case we would retaliate, if there were to be sanctions, and it is a possibility that we will take sanctions, we would immediately contact the WTO (World Trade Organization).

2. Ron Johnson:

   I am concerned that ICE is attempting to identify and retaliate against whistleblowers who revealed a lack of cooperation between USCIS and ICE in the aftermath of the terror attacks in San Bernardino, those who have the courage to come forward should not be retaliated against.

3. Mike Pompeo:

   It is not possible that this decision, or my recommendation, rather, to the President, rather, was based on any effort to retaliate for any investigation that was going on, or is currently going on, because I simply don't know. I'm not briefed on it. I usually see these investigations in final draft form 24 hours, 48 hours, before the IG is prepared to release them.

4. Antonio Fatas:

   Trade war is not a risk but a reality, u.S. tariffs are going up against China but also against some of its traditional allies, such as Canada and the European Union. They are all about to retaliate and today we do not see an easy way out.

5. Bruce Barket:

   Any suggestion that Mr. Tartaglione assaulted anyone is a complete fabrication, this story is being leaked to retaliate against Mr. Tartaglione for complaining to the court about the deplorable conditions at the MCC.

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