retaliation
n. C / U B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɹiˌtæɫiˈeɪʃən// UK //ɹɪtˌælɪˈeɪʃən// re·tal·i·a·tion
n. an action taken to punish someone for a wrong or injury. It is often a response to a previous attack or unfair treatment.
n. the act of inflicting harm or punishment in response to an injury or offense. Uncountable in abstract usage; countable when referring to specific acts of reprisal.
The country promised swift retaliation for the attack.
The company launched a legal retaliation after the competitor stole their trade secrets.
In international relations, the threat of nuclear retaliation serves as a deterrent against direct military conflict between superpowers.
From retaliate + -ion.