retaliativeadj.
/rᵻˈtalɪətɪv/, U.S. /rəˈtæliədɪv/, /riˈtæliədɪv/ Characterized by or of the nature of retaliation; apt to retaliate; vindictive, revengeful. Cf. retaliatory adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [adjective] > relating to retaliation > tending to retaliation
retaliative1682
1682 R. Saunders View of Soul 57 He forbiddeth the shedding mans bloud, by a retaliative Law.
1740 Bravo turn'd Bully xviii. 49 What if we sent the Grand Don his Master a retaliative Token?
1779 W. Bingham Let. 10 Feb. in B. Franklin Papers (1990) XXVIII. 502 The Resolve of Congress..encouraged the American Seamen to take Possession of English Vessels..as an Act of retaliative Justice.
1833 J. Martineau Misc. (1854) 11 Unitarians are beginning to perceive the error of this retaliative logic.
1892 C. L. Herrick Mammals of Minnesota ii. 20 The smaller bats..are retaliative and fierce when caught.
1930 Amer. Jrnl. Nursing 30 1426/2 His temper tantrums may represent retaliative measures to the orders of his teacher.
1974 G. H. Meaker Revolutionary Left in Spain, 1914–1923 vi. 178 They hired gunmen and began a campaign of retaliative assassination against the Cenetistas.
2003 D. Williams Exposure Anxiety v. 260 The retaliative child is liable to be egged on into dangerous situations through challenge.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.1682