What does "retaliation" mean?

Violent or otherwise punitive response to an act of harm or perceived injustice; a hitting back; revenge.

What is a synonym for "retaliation"?

Common synonyms include: alternation, amends, atonement, avengement, avenging, backlash.

Pronounced //ɹiˌtæl.iˈeɪ.ʃən//.

/ɹiˌtæl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/ noun

noun ·Moderate ·College level

Noun

1
Violent or otherwise punitive response to an act of harm or perceived injustice; a hitting back; revenge. uncountable, usually
"Hamas knew there would be massive retaliations."
2
action taken in return for an injury or offense wordnet

"Threats of retaliation are blocking negotiations."

From retaliate + -ion.