reprisal

[ri-prahy-zuhl]

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.

reprisal

/ 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

reprisal

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonreprisal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reprisal¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reprisal¹

C15: from Old French reprisaille , from Old Italian ripresaglia , from riprendere to recapture, from Latin reprehendere to hold fast; see _reprehend

Synonym Study

See revenge.

Example Sentences

But they cannot extinguish the belief that religion keeps alive: that there is something higher than Caesar’s will, something that commands conscience beyond fear of reprisal or political favor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"They were just children who were barely learning to live. Where they should have been was studying in school, playing," lamented the boy's sister, herself barely 18 and unnamed for fear of reprisals.

Read more on Barron's

Initial reprisals by the Israeli army two years later have led to nearly 70,000 deaths of civilians and combatants, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When he voted to keep the government open in March, the resistance targeted him for reprisal.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At Joshua Tree National Park, about a third of 145 positions are unfilled, according to a firefighter there who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• retaliation 
• retribution 
• vengeance