reprisal
noun
re·pri·sal
ri-ˈprī-zəl 
1
: a retaliatory act
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
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
Inside the classroom, the student described a culture of silence by those who might disagree with a left-leaning professor, for fear of academic and social reprisal.
—
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
So, here goes, a reprisal of Buzz and Batch going at it in today's market.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Oct. 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
The late-night sketch show — which began late tonight due to college football — eschewed its typical political satire for a Domingo reunion during its Cold Open, featuring a reprisal by Marcello Hernandez and Carpenter.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
So, here goes, a reprisal of Buzz and Batch going at it in today's market.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Oct. 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
The late-night sketch show — which began late tonight due to college football — eschewed its typical political satire for a Domingo reunion during its Cold Open, featuring a reprisal by Marcello Hernandez and Carpenter.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
Cite this Entry
“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprisal. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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