retaliatory

2 definitions • 3 examples

A retaliatory action is one that is harmful to someone who has done something to harm you:

retaliatory measures

He urged people not to resort to retaliatory violence.

used to describe an action that is intended to harm someone who has done something to harm you:

retaliatory action/measures/sanctions The bill ends tax subsidies for US exporters that caused retaliatory action by Europe.