Synonyms: retaliate, strike back
Definition: make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil
Usage: The Empire strikes back; The Giants struck back and won the opener; The Israeli army retaliated for the Hamas bombing
Definition: make a strategic, offensive, assault against an enemy, opponent, or a target
Usage: The Germans struck Poland on Sept. 1, 1939; We must strike the enemy's oil fields; in the fifth inning, the Giants struck, sending three runners home to win the game 5 to 2
Synonyms: retaliate, revenge, avenge
Definition: take revenge for a perceived wrong
Usage: He wants to avenge the murder of his brother
Similar words: penalise, penalize, punish
Definition: impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on
Usage: The students were penalized for showing up late for class; we had to punish the dog for soiling the floor again