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
Nurses also report a lack of support from management, a fear of reprisal or a sense of shame when reporting.
—
Jason Blomquist, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2025
This person spoke anonymously, afraid of reprisal for talking about the system.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 1 Mar. 2025
Letters of marque and reprisal were used in the past when naval warfare was common.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The Office of Special Counsel provides an avenue for whistleblowers to report concerns about government wrongdoing and works to protect them from reprisal.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
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Jason Blomquist, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2025
This person spoke anonymously, afraid of reprisal for talking about the system.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 1 Mar. 2025
Letters of marque and reprisal were used in the past when naval warfare was common.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The Office of Special Counsel provides an avenue for whistleblowers to report concerns about government wrongdoing and works to protect them from reprisal.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 21 Feb. 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 28 Mar. 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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