Another Word For Retaliation

Meaning

Retaliation refers to the act of responding to an action or aggression with a corresponding action, especially when that action is meant to inflict harm or punishment in return. It often arises from feelings of anger or a desire for revenge, and it suggests a cycle of conflict where one party responds to the wrongdoing of another with equivalent or escalating conduct.

Synonyms

• Revenge
• Reprisal
• Retribution
• Vengeance
• Payback

Antonyms

• Forgiveness
• Pardon
• Compassion
• Reconciliation
• Peace

Etymology

The word 'retaliation' comes from the Latin verb "retaliare," which means "to repay" or "to return," combined with the suffix "-tion," which is used to form nouns indicating an action or process.

Examples

1. After being insulted, she made a decision against retaliation, choosing instead to rise above the conflict.
2. The country's retaliation against the cyber attack included sanctions and a diplomatic response.
3. He believed that retaliation would only escalate the situation further, leading to more harm.
4. The film portrayed the theme of retaliation as a dangerous cycle that ultimately led to tragedy.
5. Instead of retaliation, the community opted for a peaceful resolution to the dispute.