retaliate crossword clue

 The answer to the crossword clue "retaliate" can be either 5 letters: REACT, REPAY, REPLY, or 6 letters: AVENGE.

REACT means to respond to something, especially in a negative way.

REPAY means to pay back something that someone has done for you, especially something bad.

REPLY means to say something in answer to something that someone else has said.

AVENGE means to punish someone for something bad that they have done, especially to someone else.

The specific answer that is used will depend on the context of the crossword puzzle. For example, if the clue is "retaliate in kind," then the answer would be "repay." However, if the clue is "retaliate for a wrong," then the answer could be "avenge."

I hope this helps!