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
Another documentary filmmaker who requested anonymity for fear of possible reprisals had earned Cal Humanities grants for several projects.
—
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Students who spoke with CNN – most of whom requested to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals – described a tense mood on campus as the changes take hold.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
In my experience as an executive coach, such listening sessions are uncommon due to fear of reprisal from politicians and other powerful stakeholders.
—Annmarie Caño, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2025
The junior associates didn’t sign their names to the national petition that has been circulating online since last week to avoid reprisals but included the names of their firms and the year they were hired instead.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
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Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Students who spoke with CNN – most of whom requested to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals – described a tense mood on campus as the changes take hold.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
In my experience as an executive coach, such listening sessions are uncommon due to fear of reprisal from politicians and other powerful stakeholders.
—Annmarie Caño, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2025
The junior associates didn’t sign their names to the national petition that has been circulating online since last week to avoid reprisals but included the names of their firms and the year they were hired instead.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 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 23 Apr. 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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