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

Related Words

• punishment 
• reprisal 
• retribution 
• revenge