as in reparation
payment to another for a loss or injury
a peace agreement that was rejected because it contained no provisions for reprisals
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Recent Examples of reprisals
Barzani’s movement collapsed within weeks, and Iraqi forces launched reprisals that displaced hundreds of thousands of Kurdish civilians.
—
John Calabrese, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2026
The witness spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
On the Facebook post, commenters hinted that the reason may be fear of reprisals from area gangs.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 27 Feb. 2026
The volunteer spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
By the next evening, Saedi was dying in his father’s arms – shot in the face on the street in Tehran during a brutal crackdown on demonstrations by Iranian security forces, according to a relative inside Iran who spoke to CNN anonymously for fear of reprisals.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Still, the possibility that educators could face state reprisals has prompted districts to take a stricter line.
—Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
That has led to diplomatic and economic reprisals from Beijing.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
That has led to Beijing’s diplomatic and economic reprisals.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
John Calabrese, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2026
The witness spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
On the Facebook post, commenters hinted that the reason may be fear of reprisals from area gangs.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 27 Feb. 2026
The volunteer spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
By the next evening, Saedi was dying in his father’s arms – shot in the face on the street in Tehran during a brutal crackdown on demonstrations by Iranian security forces, according to a relative inside Iran who spoke to CNN anonymously for fear of reprisals.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Still, the possibility that educators could face state reprisals has prompted districts to take a stricter line.
—Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
That has led to diplomatic and economic reprisals from Beijing.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
That has led to Beijing’s diplomatic and economic reprisals.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprisals
Noun
-
The letter called for accountability and reparations, and gave Redzepi 24 hours to respond.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Presidential candidates fielded questions about reparations, or cash payments to make amends.—
Ara Rosenthal,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Goldie’s claim was for possession of the home, not being awarded financial damages.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Judge Gutierrez reasoned that jurors’ confusion about the evidence was apparent in their assessment of damages.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprisals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprisals. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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