noun

reprisal

rih-PREYE-zuhl

Reprisal (noun) means an act of retaliation, especially in response to an attack or injury. Example: “The village feared reprisals after reporting the soldiers' crimes.”

noun

An act of retaliation, especially in response to an attack or injury.

"The village feared reprisals after reporting the soldiers' crimes."

How to use reprisal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGetting back at someone, usually through force, for something they did.

Easily confused with

reprise →

Common pairings

fear of reprisal in reprisal for reprisal attacks

Word forms

reprisals plural

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The village feared _____ after reporting the soldiers' crimes.

Etymology

From Old Italian ripresaglia via Anglo-Norman reprisaille, ultimately from Latin reprehendere ("to seize back").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for reprisal

Faisal appraisal

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Frequently asked questions

What does “reprisal” mean?

The word “reprisal” means an act of retaliation, especially in response to an attack or injury. In plain terms, getting back at someone, usually through force, for something they did.

How do you pronounce “reprisal”?

“Reprisal” is pronounced rih-PREYE-zuhl (/ɹɪˈpɹaɪzəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “reprisal” in a sentence?

Here is “reprisal” used in a sentence: “The village feared reprisals after reporting the soldiers' crimes.”

What part of speech is “reprisal”?

“Reprisal” is a noun.

Where does the word “reprisal” come from?

The word “reprisal” comes from Latin. From Old Italian ripresaglia via Anglo-Norman reprisaille, ultimately from Latin reprehendere ("to seize back").