reprisal

[riˈpraɪzl]

reprisal Definition

• 1. an act of retaliation against someone for injuries received, typically involving further violence or aggression.
• 2. the forcible seizure of property or subjects in retaliation.

Using reprisal: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "reprisal" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The bombing was in reprisal for the assassination of their leader.

• Example

  The government threatened reprisals against any attempt to overthrow it.

• Example

  The company took reprisals against the workers who went on strike.

reprisal Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for reprisal

• retaliation
• payback
• retribution
• revenge
• vengeance

Antonyms for reprisal

• forgiveness
• pardon

Phrases with reprisal

• in reprisal for

  as a response to something that has been done

  Example

  The country imposed trade restrictions in reprisal for the other country's tariffs.

• reprisal attack

  a retaliatory military strike

  Example

  The country launched a reprisal attack against the enemy's military base.

• reprisal killing

  a killing carried out in revenge for another killing

  Example

  The family vowed to carry out a reprisal killing against the murderer of their relative.

Origins of reprisal

from Old French 'reprisaille', from medieval Latin 'reprisalia', from Latin 'reprehendere' meaning 'seize'

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Summary: reprisal in Brief

The term 'reprisal' [riˈpraɪzl] refers to an act of retaliation against someone for injuries received, typically involving further violence or aggression. It can also mean the forcible seizure of property or subjects in retaliation. Examples include 'The bombing was in reprisal for the assassination of their leader.' and 'The company took reprisals against the workers who went on strike.' The phrase 'in reprisal for' is commonly used to indicate a response to something that has been done.