retaliatory

adjective

Definition of retaliatorynext
as in revengeful

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retaliatory Pre-fight tensions escalated at the weigh-ins, with Itauma shoving Hrgovic off the stage, leading to a retaliatory slap from Hrgovic, adding fuel to the already compelling matchup. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Canada is now planning retaliatory tariffs on American goods. — Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 Canada since has announced retaliatory tariffs on US goods worth $20 billion, according to media reports. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Flinn suggested a motion for Yeager to forfeit his seat, and council members subsequently requested City Attorney Scott Gerken look into a malfeasance ordinance for Yeager’s retaliatory comments. — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 Canada responded to Trump’s import taxes this week by imposing retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion worth of American goods, including steel, dairy products, appliances and farm equipment. — Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 In response, Champagne announced that his country would be implementing retaliatory tariffs of up to fifty per cent on hundreds of American goods. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 Canada on Tuesday announced retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% percent on around $20 billion worth of US products, in an expanding trade war between the erstwhile allies. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026 The European Union prepared retaliatory tariffs against the United States last year but repeatedly suspended them while negotiating with Washington. — Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaliatory
  1. revengeful
  2. retributive
  3. punitive
  4. disciplinary
  5. penal
Adjective
  • DeMar DeRozan had 32, Russell Westbrook had a revengeful 22 and Malik Monk had 26 off the bench.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Brian Heil played Don Jose with angst and ultimately, revengeful rage as Carmen’s spurned lover.
    — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
Definition of revengeful
Adjective
  • The interviewees were willing to talk openly and honestly about Trump covered by anonymity, a necessity to protect them from this fiercely thin-skinned and retributive president.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 June 2026
  • And there’s no question that Israel was pursuing both a political agenda as well as retributive-justice agenda.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Definition of retributive
Adjective
  • The absolute yield level isn’t broadly punitive yet to big companies.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Jurors awarded $6 million in damages ($3 million compensatory and $3 million punitive) to a 20-year-old woman whose compulsive childhood use of Instagram and YouTube exacerbated her severe depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia.
    — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of punitive
Adjective
  • Eight officials have since been suspended, and disciplinary proceedings initiated against them following the inquiry.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • An officer with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department who misused the county’s license plate reader system has been demoted, suspended without pay and faced other disciplinary measures, according to a release from Sheriff Jeffery Balon.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of disciplinary
Adjective
  • While the two men entered the Russian penal system around the same time, their cases differ significantly.
    — Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The 47-month sentence is notable given the Dutch penal system’s typically short prison terms.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 June 2026
Definition of penal

Browse Nearby Words

retaliative
retaliatory
retard
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Cite this Entry

“Retaliatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaliatory. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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