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

It is typically a losing argument for a criminal defendant to claim that a prosecution was motivated by political retaliation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The fear of escalation sits alongside broader concerns of commercial retaliation if a more aggressive approach were to be taken.

Read more on BBC

Fiat, the biggest carmaker in Italy, reportedly threatened to make a scooter in retaliation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Iran has for years threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of all traded oil passes, in retaliation for Western sanctions and other actions against it.

Read more on BBC

“I’ve been assaulted at gunpoint, and the police said we can’t do anything because they didn’t shoot me,” said one business owner, who declined to give their name due to fear of retaliation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• punishment 
• reprisal 
• retribution 
• revenge