Words / C1

ri-TAL-ee-ayt/rɪˈtælieɪt/

To retaliate is to harm someone because they have harmed you: retaliate against a critic. Retaliation (already in the dictionary) is the noun; revenge (this batch) is hotter and more personal; forgive sits opposite. An auditor is a counterpart with a file.

Meaning

To harm someone because they have harmed you.

Examples

• “Do not retaliate against the auditor with a spin pack.”
• “Retaliation is already in this course. Revenge is this batch and hotter. Spin is comms. A findings letter is evidence. Answer the finding; do not cast the auditor as the plot.”

Good to know

Hit back after being harmed. Noun: retaliation (already in the dictionary). Hotter: revenge (this batch). An auditor is a counterpart.

Near in meaning

hit back

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