retaliate
/ɹɪˈtæl.i.eɪt/ verb C1- To do something harmful or negative to get revenge for some harm; to fight back or respond in kind to an injury or affront. · John insulted Peter to retaliate for Peter's acid remark earlier.· Many companies have policies in place to prevent bosses from retaliating against allegations of harassment.
- To repay or requite by an act of the same kind.
He/she/it retaliates · Past retaliated · Past participle retaliated · -ing form retaliating
Verb forms
- Base form
- retaliate
- He/she/it
- retaliates
- Past
- retaliated
- Past participle
- retaliated
- -ing form
- retaliating
From the library
Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire--and, give me leave to say, very impolitic too--for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out as will shock your relations to hear.”
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