rə̇ˈtalēˌāt, rēˈ-, usu -ād.+V verb
Etymology: Late Latin retaliatus, past participle of retaliare to retaliate, from Latin re- + -taliare (akin to talio talion) — more at talion
transitive verb
1. : to return the like for : repay or requite in kind (as an injury)
2. : to put or inflict in return
retaliate a wrong
retaliate a charge upon the accuser
intransitive verb
: to return like for like : make requital ; especially : to return evil for evil
terrorist violence erupts in Algeria and Morocco — troops retaliate quickly — Henry Giniger
schoolmates quick to recognize a victim who would never retaliate — Geoffrey Gorer
the judicial process … permits society to retaliate against the transgressor — Walter Goodman
one person stands as the butt of the other's wit, and though he can retaliate he must not take offense — Notes & Queries on Anthropology
easy for anyone of moderate genius, and some erudition, who was desirous of retaliateing upon those authors, to compose a work with this title — H.W.Church
Synonyms: see reciprocate