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 fear of reprisal looms large under a regime notorious for punishing dissent, especially given the officials in charge of past crackdowns, Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, remain in their roles. —Michael Rios, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026

Several Bay Area Venezuelans with temporary status contacted by this news organization declined to identify themselves, citing fear of reprisals from remnants of Venezuela’s government, which has a history of targeting political opponents. —Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026

Like everyone interviewed for this story, Daniel asked not to be fully identified out of fear of reprisal from authorities that are very much still in power. —Nbc News, NBC news, 6 Jan. 2026

Quintus’ frighteningly zealous take is that the nukes being dropped were God’s way of saving Maxon from reprisal. —Jack King, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025

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

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