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

Bloomberg spoke with 20 Black professionals who have worked in the City of London in roles ranging from banking analysts to a global head of DEI, most of whom asked to stay anonymous for fear of reprisals from their employers. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 18 Oct. 2024

Challenge 1: Psychological Safety Is About Risk In her original concept, Dr Amy Edmondson characterized psychological safety as the ability to communicate openly about failures, risks at work without fear of whistleblowing reprisal. —Nancy Doyle, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

The body did not mention specific films or filmmakers for fear of reprisals from the regime against these individuals but signaled its support for these professionals. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2024

After arriving in France following the fall of the Afghan government in 2021, she’s had to build a new life, shadowed by fears for her family and Taliban reprisals for her defiance against their chokehold on the rights of Afghan women. —Joseph Ataman, CNN, 13 Oct. 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