How Do You Spell RETALIATE?

Pronunciation: [ɹɪtˈalɪˌe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The word "retaliate" is spelled /rɪˈtæliˌeɪt/. This word comes from the Latin word "retaliatus", which means "to pay back in kind". The spelling of this word can be broken down into three syllables: "ri" (rɪ), "tal" (tæl), and "i-ate" (iˌeɪt). The "ia" in "i-ate" is pronounced as a long "i" sound (ai). The spelling of "retaliate" accurately reflects its pronunciation and origin, making it an easy word to remember and spell correctly.

RETALIATE Meaning and Definition

  1. Retaliate is a verb that refers to the act of responding to an action or offense with a corresponding action in order to seek retribution or defend oneself. It entails retaliating against someone, usually in a negative or hostile manner, as a form of revenge or punishment. The response is typically retaliatory in nature, aiming to inflict harm, injury, or damage upon the individual or group that initiated the initial wrongdoing.

    When one person or party feels they have been wronged or harmed, retaliation is often seen as a means to restore justice or balance. It involves retaliatory actions taken in order to achieve a sense of retribution or restitution for the perceived injustice. Retaliation may take various forms depending on the situation, ranging from verbal or physical confrontations, negative social or emotional responses, to legal or administrative actions.

    However, it is important to note that retaliation may not always be justified or ethical, as it can perpetuate a cycle of violence or conflict. It is often a knee-jerk reaction driven by the desire for self-preservation or vindication, and therefore it is important to approach retaliation with caution and consideration of the potential consequences.

    In summary, the term retaliate refers to responding to an offense or harm with a corresponding action with the intent to achieve retribution or self-defense.

  2. To return by giving like for like, in an ill sense; to requite or pay back with the like.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for RETALIATE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for RETALIATE

Etymology of RETALIATE

The word "retaliate" has its origins in the Latin term "retaliāre", which emerged from the combination of "re-" (meaning "back" or "again") and "taliō" (meaning "punishment in kind" or "revenge"). The Latin word "taliō" was derived from the noun "tālus", referring to the anklebone, especially those used for dice games, and it evolved to denote the idea of "like for like" or "tit for tat" retaliation. Eventually, "retaliate" entered the English language in the late 16th century with the same meaning it holds today: to respond to an attack or injury with a corresponding counterattack or revenge.

Idioms with the word RETALIATE

  • retaliate against sm or sth The idiom "retaliate against someone or something" means to respond or react to an action or event by intentionally causing harm, damage, or negative consequences to the person or thing responsible for the initial action or event. It involves taking revenge or seeking vengeance in response to an offense or wrongdoing.
  • retaliate against The idiom "retaliate against" means to respond or react to an action or behavior by inflicting similar harm, punishment, or injury upon the other party involved. It often implies seeking revenge or getting back at someone who has wronged or harmed you.

Similar spelling words for RETALIATE

Conjugate verb Retaliate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have retaliated
you would have retaliated
he/she/it would have retaliated
we would have retaliated
they would have retaliated
I would have retaliate
you would have retaliate
he/she/it would have retaliate
we would have retaliate
they would have retaliate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been retaliating
you would have been retaliating
he/she/it would have been retaliating
we would have been retaliating
they would have been retaliating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would retaliate
you would retaliate
he/she/it would retaliate
we would retaliate
they would retaliate

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be retaliating
you would be retaliating
he/she/it would be retaliating
we would be retaliating
they would be retaliating

FUTURE

I will retaliate
you will retaliate
he/she/it will retaliate
we will retaliate
they will retaliate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be retaliating
you will be retaliating
he/she/it will be retaliating
we will be retaliating
they will be retaliating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have retaliated
you will have retaliated
he/she/it will have retaliated
we will have retaliated
they will have retaliated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been retaliating
you will have been retaliating
he/she/it will have been retaliating
we will have been retaliating
they will have been retaliating

IMPERATIVE

you retaliate
we let´s retaliate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to retaliate

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was retaliating
you were retaliating
he/she/it was retaliating
we were retaliating
they were retaliating

PAST PARTICIPLE

retaliated

PAST PERFECT

I had retaliated
you had retaliated
he/she/it had retaliated
we had retaliated
they had retaliated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been retaliating
you had been retaliating
he/she/it had been retaliating
we had been retaliating
they had been retaliating

PRESENT

I retaliate
you retaliate
he/she/it retaliates
we retaliate
they retaliate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am retaliating
you are retaliating
he/she/it is retaliating
we are retaliating
they are retaliating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

retaliating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have retaliated
you have retaliated
he/she/it has retaliated
we have retaliated
they have retaliated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been retaliating
you have been retaliating
he/she/it has been retaliating
we have been retaliating
they have been retaliating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it retaliate

SIMPLE PAST

I retaliated
you retaliated
he/she/it retaliated
we retaliated
they retaliated

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