retaliatory
Done in revenge
Retaliatory describes actions taken in response to harm or offense—striking back after being struck.
A retaliatory strike answers an attack.
Retaliatory tariffs respond to trade restrictions.
The firing was retaliatory, punishment for her whistleblowing.
The word implies the response mirrors or answers the original action.
Offensive response to aggression
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- counterstrikeRetaliatory military action
- countermeasureDefense against a threat
recoil · comeback · counterstroke · rejoinder · reaction · rebuff · counterblow · blowback
Punishing a wrongdoer
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- spitePetty malicious intent
- maliceIntent to cause harm
vindictive · resentment · bitterness · wrath · animosity · payback · rancor · feud
Punitive international restrictions
- tariffsTaxes on imports
- finesMonetary sanctions or particles
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- embargoOfficial prohibition on trade
disciplinary · corrective · deterrent · consequences · reprimand · forfeiture · seizure · blockade
Equivalent retaliation strategy
- quid pro quoReciprocal exchange of value
- reciprocationMutual exchange of actions
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- matchingIdentical in appearance
equivalent · proportional · counteraction · correspondence · parity · back-and-forth · mutual · symmetrical
counterattack
Offensive response to aggression
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- counterstrikeRetaliatory military action
countermeasure · recoil · comeback · counterstroke · rejoinder · reaction · rebuff · counterblow · blowback · answer
revenge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- spitePetty malicious intent
malice · vindictive · resentment · bitterness · wrath · animosity · payback · rancor · feud · nemesis
sanctions
Punitive international restrictions
embargo · disciplinary · corrective · deterrent · consequences · reprimand · forfeiture · seizure · blockade · ban
tit-for-tat
Equivalent retaliation strategy
- quid pro quoReciprocal exchange of value
- reciprocationMutual exchange of actions
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
matching · equivalent · proportional · counteraction · correspondence · parity · back-and-forth · mutual · symmetrical · in-kind
strike
Forceful impact or stoppage
assault · offensive · airstrike · shelling · missile · action · fire · incursion · operation · campaign
retaliatoryunprovoked
Without prior instigation
initiatory · preemptive · aggressive · offensive · instigating
retaliatoryforgiving
Inclined to pardon offenses
conciliatory · rehabilitative · restorative · merciful · reconciliatory
retaliatorypassive
Not actively participating
nonviolent · pacifist · accepting · submissive · yielding
- retaliatory strikeResponsive military action
- retaliatory tariffsPunitive import taxes in response