reprisal

UK: /rɪˈpraɪz^əl/ US: /rɪˈpraɪzəl/ ,(ri prī′zəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•pris•al /rɪˈpraɪzəl/   n. 

1. an act against one's enemy of causing equal or greater injuries as a reaction or answer to the injuries done to oneself:
   [countable] actions met by reprisals.
   [uncountable] actions taken in reprisal.

See -pris-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•pris•al  (ri prī′zəl), n. 

1. (in warfare) retaliation against an enemy, for injuries received, by the infliction of equal or greater injuries.
2. an act or instance of retaliation.
3. the action or practice of using force, short of war, against another nation, to secure redress of a grievance.
4. the forcible seizure of property or subjects in retaliation.

• Old French reprisaille. See reprise, -al²
• late Middle English reprisail 1400–50

Synonyms

• 1. redress. See revenge. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

reprisal / rɪˈpraɪz^əl/ noun

1. (often plural) retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime, such as the execution of prisoners of war, destruction of property, etc
2. the act or an instance of retaliation in any form
3. (formerly) the forcible seizure of the property or subjects of one nation by another

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French reprisaille, from Old Italian ripresaglia, from riprendere to recapture, from Latin reprehendere to hold fast; see reprehend