Retaliation
/rɪˌtæliˈeɪʃən/
nounB2
Definition
Retaliation is the act of responding to a harmful action by doing a similar harmful action back. It often happens when someone wants to get even or take revenge after they feel hurt or wronged. This word is common in situations like conflicts between people, groups, or countries.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Action of returning harm or injury after being harmed
- •The country launched retaliation after the border was attacked.
- •He took retaliation against his rival by spreading rumors.
- •Retaliation can lead to a cycle of violence between groups.
Paying back someone for a wrong or insult
- •The employee feared retaliation if he reported the problem.
- •Retaliation in the workplace can include unfair treatment after a complaint.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "retaliation" like "revenge," but it is the specific action of giving back harm after being harmed first.
- ✓Picture two kids on a playground: one pushes, then the other pushes back—that second push is retaliation.
- ✓It feels like the anger or desire to "pay back" someone who hurt you.
- ✓Sounds like "re-TALLY-ation" → imagine keeping a "tally" or score of bad actions and then giving back the same score.
- ✓In stories, heroes or characters often retaliate when enemies attack them first.
- ✓NOT like "attack" (which can happen first)—retaliation always happens after someone else acts.
- ✓NOT like "forgiveness" (letting go of anger)—retaliation means you respond with harm.
- ✓NOT like "defense" (protecting yourself)—retaliation is actively doing something back, not just blocking.
Try Other Words
- •Reprisal: a return attack or punishment (Use in formal or military contexts)
- •Revenge: hurting someone back because they hurt you (Use when focusing on personal feelings)
- •Payback: informal word for getting even (Use in casual conversation)
- •Counterattack: attacking back after being attacked (Use when talking about military or sports situations)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "re-" (again, back) + root "tail" (from Latin "talio" meaning "cutting even" or "retaliation") + suffix "-ation" (action or process)
- •Etymology: From Latin "retaliatio," meaning returning like for like or paying back an injury
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe the act of returning harm or punishment
- •Modern usage: Used in law, politics, and everyday speech to describe actions taken to respond to harm or wrongs
Reflect & Connect
•Can retaliation ever be a good or fair response? When might it help or hurt a situation?
•How do different cultures or people view retaliation? Is it always accepted or sometimes seen as wrong?
Fill in the blanks
1.Retaliation usually happens ___ someone feels they have been ___ first.
2.When a company fears retaliation, employees might be ___ to speak up about problems.
3.Retaliation is different from defense because it involves ___ action, not just ___.
4.In stories, a character’s retaliation often leads to ___ or more conflict.
5.Retaliation can be seen as ___ when it stops further harm, but also as ___ when it causes more problems.
6.After the first attack, the soldiers planned their retaliation carefully to ___ their enemy.
7.People avoid retaliation when they want to ___ the situation and not make it worse.