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

It contained information like names, contact details and family information of people who believed their cooperation with British forces during the Afghanistan war put them at risk of reprisals.

From BBC

In September 2021, BBC News revealed that more than 250 Afghans seeking relocation to the UK were mistakenly copied into an email from the Ministry of Defence, putting them at risk of reprisals.

From BBC

Within days, fearing reprisals, Police Scotland issued a carefully-worded statement insisting there was "no current evidence" to suggest the double shooting was "orchestrated from Scotland".

From BBC

A person with knowledge of Guerrero-Cruz’s situation who declined to be named for fear of reprisal confirmed that he attended the high school in Reseda for his junior year.

From Los Angeles Times

“What’s happening right now is unjust,” said Lizzet, who asked not to be identified by her last name for fear of reprisals.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• retaliation 
• retribution 
• vengeance