reprisal

noun re·pri·sal \ 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 (such as a sum of money) given or paid in restitution —usually used in plural

5 :a retaliatory act

See reprisal defined for English-language learners

See reprisal defined for kids

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

The guerrillas weren’t yet strong enough, and any attacks by them could bring reprisals against civilians.

— peter eisner, Smithsonian, "Without Chick Parsons, General MacArthur May Never Have Made His Famed Return to the Philippines," 22 Aug. 2017
A one-armed bartender casually beats people up and torches their car without any real reprisals.

— jennifer brett, ajc, "What NASCAR has to say about Atlanta-filmed “Logan Lucky”," 19 Aug. 2017
The officials who insisted on anonymity for fear of reprisals said Wednesday that commissioner Roselyn Akombe was stopped by security agents from boarding a flight to New York late Tuesday.

— tom odula, The Seattle Times, "Kenya election official stopped from flying to US," 16 Aug. 2017
Electoral commissioner Roselyn Akombe was stopped by security agents from boarding a flight to New York late Tuesday, said the officials who insisted on anonymity for fear of reprisals.

— Washington Post, "Kenya election official stopped from flying to US," 16 Aug. 2017
Experts on China trade policy said the long lead time could allow Beijing to discuss some of the issues raised by Washington without being seen to cave to pressure under the threat of reprisals.

— reuters, Fortune, "Trump Orders an Investigation Into China’s Intellectual Property Practices," 14 Aug. 2017
Inspired by British and American street artists Banksy and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Rodriguez said his creatures often have no mouth, representing Cubans' reluctance to publicly express their discontent for fear of reprisals, such as losing jobs.

— sarah marsh, The Christian Science Monitor, "A new voice finds expression in Cuba: graffiti artists," 9 Aug. 2017
As early as 2003, the Chávez regime started taking reprisals against individuals who voted against the government.

— javier el-hage, National Review, "The Latest Stolen Election in Venezuela," 4 Aug. 2017
The new bill orders up a regimen of tougher sanctions in reprisal for Russia’s meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections.

— tracy wilkinson, latimes.com, "House approval of Russia sanctions bill is a rebuke to Trump," 25 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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reprisal Synonyms

Other Government and Politics Terms

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

REPRISAL Defined for English Language Learners

reprisal

noun

Definition of reprisal for English Language Learners

: something that is done to hurt or punish someone who has hurt you or done something bad to you

REPRISAL Defined for Kids

reprisal

noun re·pri·sal \ ri-ˈprī-zəl \

Definition of reprisal for Students

:an act in return for harm done by another :an act of revenge

Law Dictionary

reprisal

noun re·pri·sal \ ri-ˈprī-zəl \

legal 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 :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