reprisal
noun
re·pri·sal
ri-ˈprī-zəl 
1
: a retaliatory act
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
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
Many survivors remain silent due to fear of reprisals, lack of support, and the stigma placed on them instead of the perpetrators.
—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Gerard Butler’s reprisal of Stoick the Vast in live-action makes so much sense.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
The partial evacuation of the Iraq embassy, among other staff withdrawals, came as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program appear to have stalled, with American officials fearing reprisals if Israel follows through on its plans, CBS said.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 12 June 2025
The speech positioned Newsom as a national leader of democratic resistance, with academics like Harvard’s Steven Levitsky suggesting his role could galvanize opposition to Trump’s authoritarian tactics, particularly as fear of reprisal silences dissent[3].
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
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Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Gerard Butler’s reprisal of Stoick the Vast in live-action makes so much sense.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
The partial evacuation of the Iraq embassy, among other staff withdrawals, came as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program appear to have stalled, with American officials fearing reprisals if Israel follows through on its plans, CBS said.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 12 June 2025
The speech positioned Newsom as a national leader of democratic resistance, with academics like Harvard’s Steven Levitsky suggesting his role could galvanize opposition to Trump’s authoritarian tactics, particularly as fear of reprisal silences dissent[3].
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
Cite this Entry
“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprisal. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reprisal
noun
re·pri·sal
ri-ˈprī-zəl
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
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
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