reprisal

re·pri·sal

noun \ri-ˈprī-zəl\

Definition of REPRISAL

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

obsolete : prize

3

: the regaining of something (as by recapture)

4

: something (as a sum of money) given or paid in restitution —usually used in plural

5

: a retaliatory act

Examples of REPRISAL

1. Enemy officers suffered harsh reprisals.
2. The allies threatened economic reprisals against the invading country.
3. The hostages were taken in reprisal for the bombing.

Origin of REPRISAL

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

Related to REPRISAL

Synonyms: damages, indemnification, indemnity, quittance, recompense, recoupment, redress, remuneration, reparation, reprisal(s), requital, restitution, satisfaction

Related Words: punitive damage, solatium; amends, atonement, expiation; refund, reimbursement, repayment; adjustment, settlement; punishment, retaliation

Near Antonyms: clemency, grace, leniency, lenity, mercy; forgiveness, pardon, remission

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with REPRISAL

incisal, revisal, surprisal