Retaliating

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The process of seeking retribution by inflicting a similar harm upon another person for a perceived wrong done to oneself
2. The act of repaying an offense or injury with an equal or greater vengeance towards the offender
3. Taking action to return harm or injury after being wronged

Etymology: This word is an inflected form, so I'll keep it brief. "Retaliating" is the present participle of "retaliate", the verb for returning an injury or insult in kind. "Retaliate" comes from Latin "retaliatus", the past participle of "retaliare", meaning "to requite" or "to retaliate". The Latin verb is built from "re-", "back", and "talio", the law of like-for-like punishment, which is itself rooted in "talis", "such".

Synonyms: avenging, retributing, revenge, repaying, striking back

Antonyms: forgiving, pardon, excusing, absolving, reconciling