reprisal

noun

ri-ˈprī-zəl How to pronounce reprisal (audio)
Definition of reprisalnext
1
as in reparation
usually reprisals plural 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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2
as in retaliation
the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury after defeating them last year in the finals, our team nervously awaited the expected reprisal by our archrivals in this year's tournament

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reprisal This reform aims to empower CFOs to ensure financial integrity without fear of reprisal, mirroring the Fed's independence from political pressure. — Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 While investigations into their death continues, experts say there are indications that some of the influencers did have relationships with criminal organizations and were killed as acts of reprisal by rival factions. — Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 The office cautioned that the actual number of rapes are likely higher due because many cases go unreported by the victims due to fear of reprisal and stigmatization. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 Six former child soldiers who were abducted and forced to fight with the Rapid Support Forces, known as the RSF, spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reprisal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprisal
  1. reparation
  2. retaliation
  3. damages
  4. revenge
  5. retribution
Noun
  • Germany in particular borrowed extensively to finance both domestic growth and its reparations payments.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, the whole thing could be viewed as colonial reparations.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of reparation
Noun
  • But Washington canceled the attack in part because of Gulf Arab states’ concerns about potential retaliation.
    — JAMES F. JEFFREY, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
  • McCoy’s lawsuit alleges that her demotion was in violation of Missouri’s whistleblower statute, which allows public employees to sue for unlawful retaliation after reporting violations of law.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of retaliation
Noun
  • The Family Dollar employee suffered damages, including losses in compensation and benefits, medical expenses, and anxiety and emotional distress, according to the EEOC.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The suit seeks unspecified damages for claims including legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and racketeering.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of damages
Noun
  • Is anyone in The Shards getting revenge at this point, though?
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But where each side diverges is on who was seeking revenge, an act that resulted in the death of an unintended victim — Robinson — instead of Bowman.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of revenge
Noun
  • Conservative hardliners, upset with provisions within the funding bill and the fact that Johnson was relying on Democratic support, pledged to tank other measures from coming to the floor in retribution.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
  • One Hong Kong author who moved to Taiwan and has published books there is Lee, who spoke on condition of not using their full name out of fear of government retribution.
    — KANIS LEUNG, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of retribution

Browse Nearby Words

reprints
reprisal
reprisals
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Cite this Entry

“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprisal. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reprisal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reprisal

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