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
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Recent Examples of reprisal
Reports of reprisals, revenge killings and sectarian violence have been minimal.
—
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
Eventually the family decided to leave the country, fearing government reprisals.
—Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2024
Over the past few months, conversations with team and league sources, many of whom were granted anonymity in order to speak openly without fear of reprisal, painted a picture of a fractured franchise stuck in a cycle of mediocrity since the night Andrew Luck walked out the door.
—Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Encourage employees to voice concerns and challenge assumptions without fear of reprisal.
—Bryce Hoffman, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reprisal 
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
Eventually the family decided to leave the country, fearing government reprisals.
—Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2024
Over the past few months, conversations with team and league sources, many of whom were granted anonymity in order to speak openly without fear of reprisal, painted a picture of a fractured franchise stuck in a cycle of mediocrity since the night Andrew Luck walked out the door.
—Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Encourage employees to voice concerns and challenge assumptions without fear of reprisal.
—Bryce Hoffman, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reprisal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprisal
Noun
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Textbook Says Moscow 'Forced' Into War in Ukraine Top Ally Advised Putin To Replace Lenin's Corpse With His Own: Report Putin's Ally in NATO Backs Down in Russia Sanctions Standoff The discussion of reparations comes as Russia looks to retain its two military bases in the country.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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Offer reparations In her research, Shapiro learned from Molly Howes, PhD, author of A Good Apology: Four Steps to Make Things Right that asking calm, neutral questions can provide valuable insight.—
Holly Rizzuto Palker,
Parents,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Cavaliers earned some revenge with Wednesday’s win after losing to the Heat in their first matchup of the season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2025
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Commentators are speculating that his killing is a revenge attack for his protests.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Pentagon is pulling the security clearance and detail of Gen. Mark Milley, the retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the latest longstanding enemy of President Donald Trump to suffer retribution in his new presidential term.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
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The fear of retribution alone, however, may be enough to silence Trump’s critics.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
29 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near reprisal
Cite this Entry
“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprisal. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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