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.
"It is endangering our lives and our business," said Nicholas, 42, a souvenir vendor who did not want to give his surname for fear of reprisals.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 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 source spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals from the bench.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026
They also keep a close eye on possible economic reprisals from the Councils and the Klans, plus other superpatriotic groups who bring pressures to bear on the newspapers’ advertisers.
From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin
