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
Barzani’s movement collapsed within weeks, and Iraqi forces launched reprisals that displaced hundreds of thousands of Kurdish civilians.
—
John Calabrese, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2026
Casualties have been reported across the region due to Iranian reprisal attacks.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2026
There were forces stopping and interrogating people celebrating in their cars but there was no gunfire, said the doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
The witness spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
John Calabrese, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2026
Casualties have been reported across the region due to Iranian reprisal attacks.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2026
There were forces stopping and interrogating people celebrating in their cars but there was no gunfire, said the doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
The witness spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprisal
Noun
-
Iran countered with its own five conditions in return, including war reparations and rights over the Strait of Hormuz for Iran.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The payment of war damages and reparations.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In retaliation for a ground invasion, Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen could attack ships in the Red Sea, halting the flow of oil and cargo via a route that’s been used to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Iran has targeted vessels trying to make a crossing in retaliation, effectively stalling marine traffic.—
Charlene Gubash,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The family is now suing, in part, for monetary damages, disciplinary action against the deputy, and more departmental training.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Merrill's home run robbery provided a boost early on, but McGonigle got revenge with a game-winning two-run single in a four-run eighth inning for Detroit en route to a 5-2 victory.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
These two teams swept each other on the road during the regular season, but Hicks and the Pios exacted part one of their revenge with a 2-1 overtime victory in the semifinals of this year’s Frozen Faceoff.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Local politicians that previously supported the chorus, either socially or financially, are now fearful of retribution by the governor, Cabrera said.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Resistance, rebellion and retribution all come out to play in one of Disney+’s most consistent series that’s unafraid to put its larger-than-life characters into the maw of Venus fly trap-like set of moral and ethical issues.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprisal. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
