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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Teams should establish norms that encourage idea sharing without fear of reprisal, including ground rules like listening to understand, asking clarifying questions and refraining from interruptive or dismissive behaviors.
—
Anna Barnhill, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The agency did so over the objections of Voice of America's senior management, according to three people with knowledge of events, speaking on condition they not be named for fear of reprisal.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
The entire Black community was threatened with reprisals.
—Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
Morris also gives competing accounts their due: prosecutor Stephen Kay argues in favor of the Helter Skelter scenario, and former Manson Family member Bobby Beausoleil, speaking from prison via phone, simply believes Manson pressured people into committing violence with the threat of reprisal.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
Anna Barnhill, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The agency did so over the objections of Voice of America's senior management, according to three people with knowledge of events, speaking on condition they not be named for fear of reprisal.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
The entire Black community was threatened with reprisals.
—Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
Morris also gives competing accounts their due: prosecutor Stephen Kay argues in favor of the Helter Skelter scenario, and former Manson Family member Bobby Beausoleil, speaking from prison via phone, simply believes Manson pressured people into committing violence with the threat of reprisal.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprisal
Noun
-
Cities and states have been increasingly considering reparations efforts, with California passing the first state reparations package in the country last fall.—
Michela Moscufo,
NBC News,
12 Feb. 2025
-
These settlements were comprehensive, invoking bold visions of world peace and involving territorial settlements, population movements, security clauses, and financial reparations.—
G. John Ikenberry,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Paxton has been on a revenge tour after being acquitted in his impeachment trial, which centered on corruption allegations.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Houthi supporters rallied in several cities Monday after the strikes, vowing revenge against America and Israel over blocking aid to the Gaza Strip after its war on Hamas there.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Auburn men’s basketball is the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament and headed to the South Region, where coach Bruce Pearl and the Tigers will be trying to seek a little bit of retribution after a first-round ouster at the hands of Yale last season.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
-
These include Trump's ongoing efforts to drastically reduce federal spending and allegedly abusing his power while seeking retribution against political enemies.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprisal. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share