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 three, as well as other residents NBC News spoke with, asked that their names not be used for fear of reprisals.
—
Nbc News, NBC news, 11 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
In fact, The Athletic has sources in Adelaide — granted anonymity to protect relationships and, well, for fear of reprisals — who wanted England to win this match just to keep the series alive.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The long-term danger isn’t just additional partisan attacks but also state reprisals.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
The cousin spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Nov. 2025
The cousin spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025
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
Nbc News, NBC news, 11 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
In fact, The Athletic has sources in Adelaide — granted anonymity to protect relationships and, well, for fear of reprisals — who wanted England to win this match just to keep the series alive.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The long-term danger isn’t just additional partisan attacks but also state reprisals.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
The cousin spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Nov. 2025
The cousin spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025
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
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 14 Jan. 2026.
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