retaliate
intermediateB1/rɪˈtæl.i.eɪt/ · re-tal-i-ate
to do something harmful to someone because they have done something harmful to you
Meanings
to do something harmful to someone because they have done something harmful to you
کسی کو نقصان پہنچانا کیونکہ انہوں نے آپ کو نقصان پہنچایا ہے
جواب دینا
jawab dena
Common Collocations
- retaliate violently
- retaliate with force
- retaliate against an attack
Example Sentences
She decided to retaliate after being insulted.
اس نے توہین کے بعد جواب دینے کا فیصلہ کیا۔
Us ne toheen ke baad jawab dene ka faisla kiya.
The country vowed to retaliate against the aggressor.
ملک نے جارح کیخلاف بدلہ لینے کا عزم کیا۔
Mulak ne jariha ke khilaf badla lene ka azm kiya.
Retaliating can often escalate conflicts.
جواب دینا اکثر تنازعات کو بڑھا سکتا ہے۔
Jawab dena aksar tanaza'at ko barha sakta hai.
Easily Confused With
Word Family
See Also
💡 Memory Tip
Think of 'retaliate' as returning the 'tali' for a favor done to you.
Imagine a person throwing a ball back after it was thrown at them.
✍️ Urdu Poetry
لڑائی کا کیا فائدہ انتقام کی راہ میں، سکون کو دیکھو جو وہ اُمید میں ہے
Ladai ka kya faida intiqam ki raah mein, sukoon ko dekho jo woh umeed mein hai.
What benefit is there in fighting for the path of revenge? Look at the peace that is in hope.
— Unknown, Unverified
* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.
🗣️ Urdu Proverb
بدلہ ہمیشہ اچھا نہیں ہوتا
badla hamesha achha nahi hota
Revenge is not always good.
📖 Etymology
Origin: Latin "retaliare" — to return, to repay
First known use: 15th century
The word 'retaliate' has evolved from the Latin verb 'retaliare', which means to return a favor or hurt in response to a similar action.