Synonyms of retaliation

retaliation

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• revenge
• retribution
• reprisal
• vengeance
• punishment
• payback
• compensation
• counterattack
• counteroffensive
• requital
• chastisement
• castigation
• counter
• correction
• wrath
• amends
• penalty
• redress
• indemnity
• reparation(s)
• restitution
• indemnification
• desert(s)
• discipline
• recompense
• recoupment
• nemesis
• remuneration
• quittance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mercy
• grace
• leniency
• clemency
• forgiveness
• pardon
• remission
• lenity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retaliation

Wilkinson countered that what was at issue was that the network has to go through the early renewal process at all, characterizing it as an act of retaliation that is ripe for district court review. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

The retaliation begins outside the chapel, where Ellen uses her bow to quietly pick off the guard escorting the hostages, allowing the women to escape and seize his weapons. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

The group said the attack was in retaliation for Saudi attacks on Yemen’s Sanaa and other provinces. — Azhar Sukri,terri Cullen, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

Their letter suggested investigations by the Justice Department, Labor Department or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission if discrimination or retaliation were creating a hostile workplace were on the table. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Current state guidance says that most retaliation complaints handled by that office must be filed within one year of the adverse action, although exceptions apply. — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

The Houthis say any party attacking them will face retaliation. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Investigators are considering different possible motives, including criminal feuds, retaliation and a business dispute. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

The settlement resolves the lawsuit that also claims that Leonard faced a hostile work environment, retaliation and a failure to accommodate her disability. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026