re ‧ tal ‧ i ‧ ate /rɪˈtælieɪt/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Late Latin ; Origin: past participle of retaliare , from talio 'suitable punishment' ]
to do something bad to someone because they have done something bad to you ⇨ hit back
retaliate by doing something
The British government retaliated by breaking off diplomatic relations.
retaliate against
The army began to retaliate against the civilian population.