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 The targeting of civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, particularly airports, illustrates the retaliatory logic the Houthis have invoked to justify their actions. — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Security forces arrested four armed civilians and recovered four firearms, according to the ministry’s statement, which urged communities to avoid retaliatory attacks. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Kyiv's retaliatory attacks mean Russian exports are now also stuck, further squeezing global supply. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 Israel’s retaliatory offensive killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, destroyed much of Gaza and drove most of its 2 million residents from their homes. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 These attacks were often met by retaliatory operations that saw the insurgents suffer significant casualties. — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 Mohsen Rezaee, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said countries that cooperate with measures limiting Iranian commercial flights could face retaliatory action. — Adrienne Vogt, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026 Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,264 Palestinians, including those killed since the ceasefire, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 Editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte at Stars and Stripes – a military news outlet that is partially funded by the Pentagon – claimed their dismissals were retaliatory and violated the First Amendment. — Miles J. Herszenhorn, USA Today, 5 Sep. 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
  • Yet there are few examples in history of adversaries conceding to maximalist demands in the face of punitive bombing campaigns alone—even by the world’s greatest air force.
    — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
  • An exploration of self-perception and a non-punitive confrontation with the past.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of punitive
Adjective
  • Hospitals require a multi-disciplinary team of specialists working together to provide care for the patients before, during and after treatment.
    — Steven Ross Johnson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The court rejected the taxpayer’s argument and warned Wagner that submitting fake citations could lead to sanctions from the court, including financial penalties or disciplinary action against Wagner.
    — Kaitlin Newkirk, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of disciplinary
Adjective
  • For Beccaria, an execution’s fleeting spectacle deterred less effectively than lifelong penal servitude.
    — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Their ruling states that investigators should not have cited penal law as justification for seizing the artwork, and reproaches a lower court’s previous approval of their methods.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 21 Sep. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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