noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
fight back; return fire; counter-attack; accept a challenge
Used for military combat, sports, arguments, or any situation where one responds to an attack or challenge. Often implies a defensive-to-offensive shift.
敵の攻撃に応戦した。
We fought back against the enemy's attack.
相手チームの挑発に応
They responded to the other team's provocation, and it turned into a brawl.