reprisal

noun

re·​pri·​sal ri-ˈprī-zəl How to pronounce reprisal (audio)
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
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.
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 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of reprisal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near reprisal

Cite this Entry

“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprisal. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

reprisal

noun
re·​pri·​sal ri-ˈprī-zəl How to pronounce reprisal (audio)
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 How to pronounce reprisal (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on reprisal

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