retaliation

[ri-tal-ee-ey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of retaliating; return of like for like; reprisal.

Other Word Forms

• counterretaliation noun
• nonretaliation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of retaliation¹

First recorded in 1575–85; retaliate + -ion

Example Sentences

The comments continued his campaign of retaliation against Tang and confused doctors and patients, the lawsuit alleged.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead, eight months later, Smith filed his own lawsuit against the city, alleging he faced retaliation for trying to blow the whistle on a range of misconduct within the LAPD.

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Beijing hit back with sweeping economic retaliation, restricting South Korean businesses and banning group tours.

Read more on Barron's

The Chinese have basically been boycotting us in retaliation for the tariffs.

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Violence, enacted as retaliation for the cruelty dealt by the hands of the rich and powerful, momentarily levels the playing field.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• punishment 
• reprisal 
• retribution 
• revenge