noun
reprisal
rih-PRY-zul/rɪˈpraɪzl/
An action taken in retaliation for an injury, attack, or offense.
She throws a snowball in reprisal for the one that struck her sleeve.
Etymology
“Seizing back” originally referred to taking another nation's property or citizens in retaliation for losses. The meaning broadened from that specific retaliatory seizure to an act of retaliation generally.
In context
punishment is left to the judgment of officers. He knows: no soldier can be prosecuted for actions against the population. 4 days after the ambush, the German command launches a reprisal operation led by the SS.
More examples
- Villagers feared reprisals for helping the fugitives.
- The government threatened economic reprisals.
- The prisoner spoke only after receiving protection from reprisal.
Forms
reprisal · reprisals
Similar words
- retaliation
- Retaliation is a broad response to injury; a reprisal is a retaliatory act, often organized or official.
- revenge
- Revenge emphasizes personal satisfaction; reprisal can serve political or military pressure.