Retaliated

Retaliated means to respond to an attack, injury, or insult with a similar action; to take revenge. It implies a deliberate act of counter-aggression, often with the intent of inflicting harm or punishment. The act of retaliation can occur in various contexts, from personal disputes to international conflicts. The level of retaliation can vary, ranging from a verbal response to physical violence, and the action taken is usually intended to address the perceived initial wrong.

Retaliated meaning with examples

• After being publicly criticized by her opponent, the politician retaliated with a scathing attack on his financial dealings, damaging the opponents public image. The ensuing scandal dominated the news for weeks. It demonstrated how quickly conflicts can escalate.
• The company retaliated against the striking workers by replacing them with temporary employees, leading to further tension and escalating the labor dispute. The action drew criticism from unions and other organizations. Eventually, there was some form of resolution.
• When the neighborhood cat kept scratching his car, the owner retaliated by setting up a water gun trap. This initially seemed effective but the cat just started visiting other homes, and the conflict remained unresolved. In many ways this was only a minor issue.
• Following the cyberattack on their servers, the government retaliated by launching a counter-offensive against the attackers, taking out several servers as well. The action further inflamed the online conflict, proving how easy an attack can be.