retaliating
Getting even now
Retaliating is responding to an injury or offense by inflicting one in return.
The word implies a reactive strike rather than an unprovoked one: He was suspended for retaliating after being shoved.
Retaliation can be physical, verbal, economic, or political—any payback for a perceived wrong.
Retaliation for injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- avengingInflicting punishment for wrongdoing
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
spite · wrath · animosity · resentment · hostility · fury · malice · comeuppance
Retaliatory military action
- countermoveResponding strategic action
- counteroffensiveRetaliatory military operation
- counterpunchRetaliatory boxing blow
- striking backRetaliating against an aggressor
fighting back · hitting back · response · rebuff · repulse · counteraction · countermeasure · backlash
Progressive increase in intensity
- hostilitiesActive armed fighting
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- combatArmed hostile engagement
confrontation · clash · skirmish · battle · feud · violence · insurgency · resistance
Equivalent retaliation strategy
- quid pro quoReciprocal exchange of value
- mutualShared between parties
- in kindWith similar return
- give-and-takeMutual concession between parties
matching · proportional · measured response · like for like · reciprocation · corresponding · symmetrical
Punishment for wrongdoing
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- justiceFair treatment under law
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- castigationSevere verbal criticism
chastisement · disciplinary action · consequences · reckoning · judgment · condemnation · punitive · corrective
vengeance
Retaliation for injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- avengingInflicting punishment for wrongdoing
- reprisalPunitive action in return
grudge · spite · wrath · animosity · resentment · hostility · fury · malice · comeuppance · nemesis
counterstrike
Retaliatory military action
- countermoveResponding strategic action
- counteroffensiveRetaliatory military operation
- counterpunchRetaliatory boxing blow
striking back · fighting back · hitting back · response · rebuff · repulse · counteraction · countermeasure · backlash · reactive
escalation
Progressive increase in intensity
- hostilitiesActive armed fighting
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
combat · confrontation · clash · skirmish · battle · feud · violence · insurgency · resistance · uprising
tit-for-tat
Equivalent retaliation strategy
- quid pro quoReciprocal exchange of value
- mutualShared between parties
- in kindWith similar return
give-and-take · matching · proportional · measured response · like for like · reciprocation · corresponding · symmetrical
retribution
Punishment for wrongdoing
castigation · chastisement · disciplinary action · consequences · reckoning · judgment · condemnation · punitive · corrective · karmic
retaliatingforgiving
Inclined to pardon offenses
pardoning · absolving · reconciling · making peace · accepting
retaliatingsubmitting
Giving in or delivering
yielding · capitulating · surrendering · acquiescing · enduring
- employer retaliationPunishing workers who complained
- massive retaliationAll-out punitive response doctrine
- whistleblower retaliationPunishing those who report misconduct