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Definition of reprisal
1a : the act or practice in international law of resorting to force short of war in retaliation for damage or loss sufferedb : an instance of such action
2 obsolete : prize
3 : the regaining of something (as by recapture)
4 : something (such as a sum of money) given or paid in restitution —usually used in plural
5 : a retaliatory act
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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 of reprisal from the Web
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Countless civilians remain vulnerable and in need of aid, at risk of hunger and disease as well as the violent reprisals of militants.
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Countless civilians remain vulnerable and in need of aid, at risk of hunger and disease as well as the violent reprisals of militants.
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CHIPs R The reprisal of the popular TV series continues with two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers teaming up to fight big city crime.
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Three of the women permitted the use of their real names in the article despite fears of reprisal.
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Rival kingpin Gus Fring applied CPR and called an ambulance when Nacho’s scheme began to work, and now the possibility looms of bloody reprisal for Nacho’s attempt at heroism.
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Can the president control himself or will there be further reprisals against investigators or the Justice Department?
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The two Egyptians spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
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At the time, officers who insisted on anonymity because of fear of reprisal said the vehicles offered no protection and would put their lives in danger.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reprisal'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology 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
Other Government and Politics Terms
REPRISAL Defined for English Language Learners
reprisal
playDefinition of reprisal for English Language Learners
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: something that is done to hurt or punish someone who has hurt you or done something bad to you
REPRISAL Defined for Kids
reprisal
playDefinition of reprisal for Students
: an act in return for harm done by another : an act of revenge
Law Dictionary
reprisal
playLegal Definition of reprisal
1a : 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
Origin and Etymology of reprisal
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
Learn More about reprisal
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See words that rhyme with reprisal Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reprisal Spanish Central: Translation of reprisal Nglish: Translation of reprisal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reprisal for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reprisal
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