retaliate
verbformal/ʁɨtɐliˈaɾ/low
re·ta·li·ar
Definition
To respond to an attack or offense with a similar action; to repay with equivalent violence or harm.
The country threatened to retaliate if new sanctions were imposed.
He chose not to retaliate against the insults.
Common collocations
retaliate for an attackretaliate against an offensethreaten to retaliate
Etymology
Do latim 'retaliare' (retribuir na mesma moeda), de 're-' (de novo) + 'talis' (tal).