Meaning
Retaliation is a noun that means taking revenge or responding to an injury, harm, or attack by doing something similar in return. It often carries the sense of punishment, payback, or reprisal.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Noun
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Related verb: retaliate
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Common patterns:
- retaliation against + person/group (revenge on someone)
- in retaliation for + action (as a response to something)
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Often used in formal, legal, or military contexts.
Common Phrases
- in retaliation for
- face retaliation
- acts of retaliation
- retaliation against workers
- fear of retaliation
Collocations
- military retaliation
- violent retaliation
- economic retaliation
- immediate retaliation
- harsh retaliation
Examples
- The army launched airstrikes in retaliation for the attack.
- Employees feared retaliation if they reported the harassment.
- His harsh words were seen as retaliation against his critics.
- The country threatened retaliation against any future cyberattacks.
- She denied that her comments were made in retaliation.
- Retaliation is often counterproductive in workplace conflicts.
- The law protects workers from retaliation after filing complaints.
- The family sought no retaliation for the injustice they faced.
Synonyms or Related
- revenge
- reprisal
- payback
- vengeance
- retribution
Antonym
- forgiveness
- pardon
- mercy