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

• compensation
• damages
• indemnification
• indemnity
• quittance
• recompense
• recoupment
• redress
• remuneration
• reparation
• requital
• restitution
• satisfaction

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

Officials, expecting more reprisal killings in its wake, said the declaration would be used to crack down on gangs, Reuters reported. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 30 Dec. 2024

Those soldiers—along with U.S. forces based nearby in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan—are obvious targets for reprisals by Tehran. —Rosemary Kelanic, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024

Reports of summary executions and sectarian reprisals were limited, perhaps due, in part, to the way much of the Syrian army ceded territory without a fight. —Sam Heller, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024

Workers often suffered passport confiscation, wage theft, inhumane working hours, intimidation, and reprisals from employers. —Samindra Kunti, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reprisail, from Anglo-French reprisaile, from Medieval Latin represalia, from Old Italian rappresaglia, ultimately from ripreso, past participle of riprendere to take back, from ri- re- (from Latin re-) + prendere to take, from Latin prehendere — more at get

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Kids 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