REPRISAL Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

reprisal

noun

ri-ˈprī-zəl

Definition of reprisal

as in reparation

usually reprisals plural payment to another for a loss or injury a peace agreement that was rejected because it contained no provisions for reprisals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in retaliation

the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury after defeating them last year in the finals, our team nervously awaited the expected reprisal by our archrivals in this year's tournament

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of reprisal Residents say Ethiopian federal forces retook Mekelle’s airport from Tigrayan fighters, but communications blackouts and fear of reprisals have left unclear who controls Tigray’s capital city. — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 Seoul has since demanded an official apology, accusing the Ukrainian president of violating a secrecy agreement about the transfer, which was arranged to ensure the prisoners’ safety from reprisals. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026 Murphy has shared that fans can expect a reprisal of all those roles in the 13th installment. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026 Given the difficulty of defending against drones, missiles, and bombs, large-scale attacks on critical infrastructure would likely have succeeded and invited reprisals in kind, leaving everyone worse off. — Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reprisal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprisal

Noun

Later, in 1711, the colony passed a legislative act to make reparations to the victims, including restoring the good names of the accused and paying financial retributions to the families of the accused.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
In other words, the suit claims that the reparations program illegally discriminates on the basis of race — in this case, discriminating against people who are not Black.

— Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of reparation

Noun

The suit calls not merely for reinstatement of access that has already been impacted, but for a broad injunction that would protect from retaliation every news outlet that covers the White House -- now, and in the future.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
The Hashemite Kingdom’s air force Monday evening carried out airstrikes in Syria in retaliation for last week’s attacks on a funeral at a Greek Orthodox Church in the southern Jordanian city of Karak that killed nine people.

— Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of retaliation

Noun

When asked whether Kessler’s return would spark extra motivation for the Jazz, Utah coach Will Hardy dispelled any suggestions of revenge.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Wu stars alongside Chris Pratt, a NAVY seal out for revenge after the murder of his family.

— Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of revenge

Noun

On September 4th, Henderson received a reminder of the retribution that might await her.

— Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Later, in 1711, the colony passed a legislative act to make reparations to the victims, including restoring the good names of the accused and paying financial retributions to the families of the accused.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of retribution

Browse Nearby Words

reprints

reprisal

reprisals

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Style

“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprisal. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reprisal

noun

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