retaliation

From retaliate + -ion.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɹiˌtæl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/

  • Audio (Southern England):

    (file)

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ɹɪˌtæl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/, /ɹə-/, /ɹi-/, /-ʃɪn/

retaliation (usually uncountable, plural retaliations)

1. Violent or otherwise punitive response to an act of harm or perceived injustice; a hitting back; revenge.
   • 2009 January 13, “'Never again,' says survivor”, in Toronto Star‎^[1]:

     Hamas knew there would be massive retaliations.

• See also Thesaurus:revenge

• retaliate
• retaliatory