retaliate

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb take revenge for a perceived wrong
  2. verb make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil

Etymology

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

In classic literature

Synonyms

revenge, avenge

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