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Word a Day

retaliate

verb · /ɹɪˈtæliˌeɪt/ · Level 3 · Advanced

What does retaliate mean?

retaliate (verb): to do something harmful or negative to get revenge for some harm; to fight back or respond in kind to an injury or affront.

Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

How do you pronounce retaliate?

/ɹɪˈtæliˌeɪt/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.

Where does retaliate come from?

From Latin retāliātus, past participle of retāliō (“to requite, retaliate”).

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Words related to retaliate

From Princeton WordNet 3.1.

Test yourself: do you know “retaliate”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “retaliate” mean?

to do something harmful or negative to get revenge for some harm; to fight back or respond in kind to an injury or affront

Right! That's what “retaliate” means.

to move sideways (especially along a seat for multiple people), usually to make room for someone else (to sit, stand, etc.)

Not quite: that's what scoot means.

to show plainly; to make to appear distinctly, usually to the mind; to put beyond question or doubt; to display; to exhibit

Not quite: that's what manifest means.

to plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly

Not quite: that's what advocate means.

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