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 Words From

• nonre·prisal 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

Many Jews have removed mezuzahs - the small Torah scrolls - from their doorposts, or they have covered them with duct tape out of fear of reprisal.

From BBC

And those who worked for the former military fear reprisal.

From BBC

Helen says this, and the fear of reprisal, stopped her from speaking out for more than three decades.

From BBC

Ross Cassidy also told the inquiry in London on Monday that Mr Skripal, a former Russian intelligence officer, said he could not return to Russia or there would be "reprisals".

From BBC

Like a harbinger of some twisted future, he speaks of a purge—a single, merciless day of reckoning — where lawlessness would be met with brutal reprisal.

From Salon

Related Words

• retaliation
• retribution
• vengeance