reprisal

noun

re·​pri·​sal ri-ˈprī-zəl 

1

: a retaliatory act

The prisoners kept quiet for fear of reprisal.

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

Synonyms of reprisal

• reparation
• damages

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

The move comes after acting Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Director Tracy Beth Høeg disagreed with a staff decision to approve the drug, according to sources familiar with the dispute who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal. —Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 6 May 2026

There was a time when Florida’s GOP standard-bearers exercised independent judgment without fear of reprisal from a single individual. —Jim Paladino, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026

In an early April pre-trial decision, the judge in the Lively-Baldoni dispute narrowed the case to a focus around reprisal. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026

Austin Peck went on to play Austin Reed for lengthier stints between 1995 and 2021, aside from Muldoon's reprisal of the role in 2011 and 2012. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Rhymes for reprisal

• incisal
• revisal
• sisal

Kids 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