noun

retaliation

retaliation, reprisal, revenge

The attack was in retaliation for the bombing.

The attack was in retaliation for the bombing.

He feared retaliation from his enemies.

He feared retaliation from his enemies.

((in retaliation for sth.)) as a reaction to (sth.) The attack was in retaliation for the bombing.

Synonyms: reprisal, revenge, vengeance; Antonyms: forgiveness, pardon

From Latin 're-' (back) + 'talis' (such), meaning 'to pay back in kind'.

Think 're-tally' – as in, keeping a tally of wrongs and paying them back.

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