retortion

/rɪˈtɔrʃən/
noun
  1. The act of twisting back or bending backward; also used in international law as a synonym for retorsion (retaliation by similar measures).
    • The gymnast's retortion of her spine during the routine was both flexible and controlled.
    • The retortion of the metal rod caused it to snap under the pressure.
    • In legal terms, retortion refers to a state's unfriendly but lawful response to another state's actions.
Synonyms