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
The entire Black community was threatened with reprisals.
—
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
While individual efforts are important, collective action increases impact and mitigates the risks of reprisals for standing up to individuals or organizations.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2025
In a night of reprisals for Marcello Hernandez, the repertory Saturday Night Live player brought back his Weekend Update character The Movie Guy — a cinephile with a wan viewing history.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025
Anonymity also allows the scouts to be completely honest, without fear of reprisals.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The former employee of the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman also spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals, and said oversight staff were often the only outsiders any detainees could appeal to.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 6 Oct. 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
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
The content of the joke wouldn’t stop the state reprisals that were already in the works.
—James Folta
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
While individual efforts are important, collective action increases impact and mitigates the risks of reprisals for standing up to individuals or organizations.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2025
In a night of reprisals for Marcello Hernandez, the repertory Saturday Night Live player brought back his Weekend Update character The Movie Guy — a cinephile with a wan viewing history.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025
Anonymity also allows the scouts to be completely honest, without fear of reprisals.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The former employee of the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman also spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals, and said oversight staff were often the only outsiders any detainees could appeal to.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 6 Oct. 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
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
The content of the joke wouldn’t stop the state reprisals that were already in the works.
—James Folta
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprisals
Noun
-
Scaffolding, ultimately, is less like reparations and more like universal basic income.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The survey focuses on whether educators are properly teaching students about reparations precedents.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In 2025, 23 weather and climate events exceeded $1 billion in damages, costing a total of around $115 billion, according to an analysis released Thursday by the nonprofit organization Climate Central.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The United States experienced nearly two dozen billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2025, causing at least 276 fatalities and costing a total of $115 billion in damages.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprisals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprisals. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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