reprisal

noun

re·​pri·​sal ri-ˈprī-zəl How to pronounce reprisal (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The message to Labor Department employees was unsigned by leadership and was sent from a generic department email address that doesn't accept replies, said one department employee who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal. Shannon Bond, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025 From recruit to recruiter The easy money kept coming for the young woman, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals but spoke with CNN by phone. Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 Stallone received a third Oscar nomination for his reprisal of Rocky Balboa in 2015's Creed. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025 Amid the harsh conditions, Ana forms a deep bond with Sole, a friendship tested by escape attempts, reprisals, and an ultimate sacrifice. Callum McLennan, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reprisal

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of reprisal was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprisal. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

reprisal

noun
re·​pri·​sal ri-ˈprī-zəl How to pronounce reprisal (audio)
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 How to pronounce reprisal (audio)
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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