reprisal

American  

[ri-prahy-zuhl] / rɪˈpraɪ zəl /

noun

1. (in warfare) retaliation against an enemy, for injuries received, by the infliction of equal or greater injuries.

   Synonyms:

   redress

2. an act or instance of retaliation.

3. the action or practice of using force, short of war, against another nation, to secure redress of a grievance.

4. the forcible seizure of property or subjects in retaliation.

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reprisal British  

/ rɪˈpraɪzəl /

noun

1. (often plural) retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime, such as the execution of prisoners of war, destruction of property, etc

2. the act or an instance of retaliation in any form

3. (formerly) the forcible seizure of the property or subjects of one nation by another

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reprisal Cultural  

1. An act by which a nation seeks, short of war, to redress a wrong committed against it by another nation. Boycotts and blockades are common forms of reprisal.

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Related Words

See revenge.

Other Word Forms

• nonreprisal
  noun

Etymology

Origin of reprisal

1400–50; late Middle English reprisail < Old French reprisaille. See reprise, -al ²

Explanation

A reprisal is an act of retaliation, especially one committed by one country against another. If you attack your enemy's village and cause lots of damage, expect a reprisal. Reprisal comes from the French for taking back, and used to mean the seizure of property as a compensation for some earlier loss. Now we use it more in the sense of a retaliatory attack. When Germany bombed London during World War II, the British reprisals included the bombing of Berlin. Reprisal doesn't always have to be about war; you can use it for any act of retaliation.

Example Sentences

The pair previously appeared in the 2018 thriller "Reprisal."

From Fox News • May 12, 2020

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2017

Reprisal attacks and provocations exist on both sides.

From The Guardian • Jan. 3, 2017

Reprisal born of optical reflex may work out this time in Iraq and Syria, but if it does it would be a rare thing.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 9, 2014

The Reprisal, having refitted, soon sailed toward the Bay of Biscay, on another cruise.

From Memoirs of Service Afloat, During the War Between the States by Semmes, Raphael

Related Words

• retaliation
• retribution
• vengeance