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
Synonyms
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
That could mean a reprisal of stunts like a controversial $1 million-a-day giveaway that drew legal challenges.
—
Melvin Backman, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
Mandate that ideas, not people or motives, become the subject of critique, and create psychological safety so that all voices feel empowered to participate without fear of reprisal.
—Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Players feared reprisal for being self-promotional in any way.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2024
Benchmark Brent crude gained about more than 8% this week amid the strikes and in anticipation of a potential Israeli reprisal, to trade around $78 a barrel.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reprisal 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Melvin Backman, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
Mandate that ideas, not people or motives, become the subject of critique, and create psychological safety so that all voices feel empowered to participate without fear of reprisal.
—Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Players feared reprisal for being self-promotional in any way.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2024
Benchmark Brent crude gained about more than 8% this week amid the strikes and in anticipation of a potential Israeli reprisal, to trade around $78 a barrel.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reprisal
Dictionary Entries Near reprisal
Cite this Entry
“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprisal. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share