Retaliation (noun)

1. The action of returning an attack or harm inflicted on oneself.
2. An act of revenge for an injury or offence.

Origin:

Late 16th century: from french, or from latin retaliation- "retaliation", from the verb retaliat- "retaliated", from the verb retaliare (see retaliate).

Examples:

1. The government threatened retaliation if the terrorist group did not release the hostages.
2. The worker"s strike was a form of retaliation for the company"s decision to cut benefits.
3. The country took military retaliation against its neighbor for the attack on its citizens.
4. The company"s decision to sue for patent infringement was seen as retaliation for the competitor"s similar lawsuit.
5. The athlete's suspension was a form of retaliation for his role in the cheating scandal.