reprisal

American  

[ri-prahy-zuhl] / rɪˈpraɪ zəl /

noun

reprisals plural

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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Synonym Usage

See revenge.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonreprisal
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• reprisals
  plural

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

See Examples For:

reprisal reprisals

Reviving prize law could be complemented by Congress’s issuing letters of marque and reprisal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 2026

It is reprisal and revenge against a group that had the temerity to oppose hate wherever it originates.

From Salon ● Apr. 22, 2026

After having lived through decades of war in their own country, and having escaped the possibility of reprisal and persecution there, the Afghan evacuees are now caught in another nightmare.

From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026

“I still haven’t seen any proof that Tesla has been able to satisfy the requirements,” said a senior official at another EV manufacturer, who feared reprisal from state officials if they spoke out publicly.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 9, 2026

The only ways in which I felt that my feelings could go outward without fear of rude rebuff or searing reprisal was in writing or reading, and to me they were ways of living.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

During the McCarthy era, overreaching laws, surveillance, and public and private sector reprisals ostensibly targeted alleged communists.

From Salon ● May 28, 2026

Marta - whose name has been changed for fear of reprisals - says the "lack of information" and not knowing what is going to happen, is also affecting them "emotionally and psychologically".

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

"The situation gets worse every year," one Palestinian shopkeeper told AFP, refusing to give his name for fear of reprisals.

From Barron's ● May 14, 2026

The source spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals from the bench.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026

The biggest barrier to voting, however, was the fear of reprisals.

From "Because They Marched" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

• retaliation
• retribution
• vengeance