reprisal

noun

re·​pri·​sal ri-ˈprī-zəl How to pronounce reprisal (audio)
Synonyms of reprisal
1
: a retaliatory act
The prisoners kept quiet for fear of reprisal.
2
: the regaining of something (as by recapture)
3
: something (such as a sum of money) given or paid in restitution
—usually used in plural
4
a
: the act or practice in international law of resorting to force short of war in retaliation for damage or loss suffered
b
: an instance of such action
5
obsolete : prize

Synonyms of reprisal

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Examples of reprisal in a Sentence

Enemy officers suffered harsh reprisals. The allies threatened economic reprisals against the invading country. The hostages were taken in reprisal for the bombing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thousands of Ukrainians also died in reprisal killings. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 June 2026 Many people spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal from the administration. — Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 22 June 2026 Iran’s reprisals have targeted civilians and public spaces across the Middle East. — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 18 June 2026 To vote in free elections without a gun to their head, to walk into a balloting place without fear of reprisal decide the direction of this country. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reprisal

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reprisail, from Anglo-French reprisaile, from Medieval Latin represalia, from Old Italian rappresaglia, ultimately from ripreso, past participle of riprendere to take back, from ri- re- (from Latin re-) + prendere to take, from Latin prehendere — more at get

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Time Traveler
The first known use of reprisal was in the 15th century

Rhymes for reprisal

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Browse Nearby Words

reprinter
reprisal
reprise
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Cite this Entry

“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprisal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reprisal

noun
re·​pri·​sal ri-ˈprī-zəl How to pronounce reprisal (audio)
1
: the use of force short of war by one nation against another in return for damage or loss suffered
economic reprisals
2
: an act of getting back at especially in war

Legal Definition

reprisal

noun
re·​pri·​sal ri-ˈprī-zəl How to pronounce reprisal (audio)
1
a
: the act or practice in international law of resorting to force short of war in retaliation for damage or loss suffered
b
: an instance of such action
2
: a retaliatory act
may not fire a complaining employee in reprisal
Etymology

Anglo-French reprisaile, reprisaille, from Middle French, from Old Italian ripresaglia, from ripreso, past participle of riprendere to take back, from ri- back + prendere to take, from Latin prehendere

More from Merriam-Webster on reprisal

Nglish: Translation of reprisal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reprisal

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