reprisal
noun
(in warfare) retaliation against an enemy, for injuries received, by the infliction of equal or greater injuries.
reprisals
-
pluralof reprisal.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“But the combination of predictable U.S. reprisals and conditioning economic incentives on compliance could persuade Tehran not to overplay its hand.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
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
Although many more residents wanted to support Thorpe, they feared reprisals by the vindictive Oldham.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
