How can you be so passive? Why don't you retaliate?
Source: tatoeba (38747)
Retaliate
/ɹɪˈtæl.i.eɪt/
Synonyms for "retaliate" (89 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (18)
Strong matches (27)
Verb(3 words)
Noun(2 words)
counterchangecoverdo penanceeveneven the scoreexchangeexpiatefill upget back atget even withgivegive and takegive in exchangegive in returnhit back atindemnifyinterchangelaunch a vendettalogrollmake amends
Show 2 more words
make compensationmake good
Related words (44)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: avenge, alternate, atone, avenge, avenged.
- Sentence evidence is available for retaliate, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "retaliate".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "retaliate"
Keep "retaliate" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "retaliate" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "retaliate", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "retaliate" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
12 entriesMore specific
8 entriescounterclaimdiplomatic retaliationeconomic retaliationlawsuitmilitary retaliationpaybacksanctionslap back
Collocations
5 entriesdiplomatic retaliationeconomic retaliationlegal retaliationmilitary retaliationretaliatory act
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
14 total sentences available.
He might retaliate.
Source: tatoeba (1349590)
If you're going to say it, you have to say it with force, and take away your opponent's ability to retaliate.
Source: tatoeba (2367536)
He wants to retaliate.
Source: tatoeba (6089299)
Showing 4 of 14 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "retaliate"?
Closest matches include avenge, alternate, atone, avenge, avenged.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "retaliate"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.