reprisal
noun
re·pri·sal
ri-ˈprī-zəl 
1
: a retaliatory act
2
: the regaining of something (as by recapture)
3
: something (such as a sum of money) given or paid in restitution
—usually used in plural
4
a
: the act or practice in international law of resorting to force short of war in retaliation for damage or loss suffered
b
: an instance of such action
5
obsolete
: prize
Examples of reprisal in a Sentence
Enemy officers suffered harsh reprisals.
The allies threatened economic reprisals against the invading country.
The hostages were taken in reprisal for the bombing.
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to losing their incomes, the suit says, the plaintiffs did not report Robinson to authorities for fear of reprisal and public embarrassment.
—
Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 6 May 2025
This means creating a safe space where patients feel comfortable expressing their opinions without fear of reprisal or judgment.
—Ajay Prasad, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Like many interviewed for this article, the former employee refused to have his name used to avoid reprisals.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
There is not a single manager in place at the hurricane-prone Houston-Galveston forecast office, according to a NOAA staff member who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
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Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 6 May 2025
This means creating a safe space where patients feel comfortable expressing their opinions without fear of reprisal or judgment.
—Ajay Prasad, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Like many interviewed for this article, the former employee refused to have his name used to avoid reprisals.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
There is not a single manager in place at the hurricane-prone Houston-Galveston forecast office, according to a NOAA staff member who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
Cite this Entry
“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprisal. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reprisal
noun
re·pri·sal
ri-ˈprī-zəl
1
: the use of force short of war by one nation against another in return for damage or loss suffered
economic reprisals
2
: an act of getting back at especially in war
Legal Definition
reprisal
noun
re·pri·sal
ri-ˈprī-zəl
1
a
: the act or practice in international law of resorting to force short of war in retaliation for damage or loss suffered
b
: an instance of such action
2
: a retaliatory act
may not fire a complaining employee in reprisal
Etymology
Anglo-French reprisaile, reprisaille, from Middle French, from Old Italian ripresaglia, from ripreso, past participle of riprendere to take back, from ri- back + prendere to take, from Latin prehendere
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