retaliate

To do something in response to an action done to oneself or an associate, especially to attack or injure someone as a response to a hurtful action.

To pay back (an injury) in kind.

To return in kind; repay or requite by an act of the same kind: now seldom or never used except in the sense of returning evil for evil: as, to retaliate injuries.

To return like for like; especially (now usually), to return evil for evil.

Synonyms See revenge, n.

To return like for like; specifically, to return evil for evil.

To return the like for; to repay or requite by an act of the same kind; to return evil for (evil). [Now seldom used except in a bad sense.]

To do something harmful or negative to get revenge for some harm; to fight back or respond in kind to an injury or affront.

take revenge for a perceived wrong

make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil