retaliation
nounUK /ɹiˌtæl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/ · US /ɹɪˌtæl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/
Etymology From retaliate + -ion.
1
Usually Violent or otherwise punitive response to an act of harm or perceived injustice; a hitting back; revenge.
- Hamas knew there would be massive retaliations.2009 January 13, “'Never again,' says survivor”, in Toronto Star:
- Derived terms
- anticipatory retaliation, antiretaliation, counterretaliation, massive retaliation, nonretaliation, retaliationism, retaliationist
- Related terms
- retaliate, retaliatory