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
The sergeant — speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal — said the troops used a 16-year-old and a 30-year-old for a few days.
—
Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
These teams played a terrific game in Cincinnati back in December and now the reprisal comes on Monday Night Football at Empower Field.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 14 May 2025
While federal workers have enjoyed protection against whistleblower reprisal for decades, those safeguards are now under threat.
—Kate Kenny, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2025
One questioned if actors had fears of reprisals for making movies with political messages.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
These teams played a terrific game in Cincinnati back in December and now the reprisal comes on Monday Night Football at Empower Field.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 14 May 2025
While federal workers have enjoyed protection against whistleblower reprisal for decades, those safeguards are now under threat.
—Kate Kenny, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2025
One questioned if actors had fears of reprisals for making movies with political messages.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprisal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprisal
Noun
-
Opponents of the governor’s veto believe the expenditure of that energy is necessary and point to efforts in Washington to unravel DEI as a reason Maryland should commit itself to study reparations.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
22 May 2025
-
Things like reparations, gun violence, and fighting against unlawful deportations are topics people tell you to avoid at dinner parties.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
While Matty hunts for clues and argues cases, Bates covertly thumbs through the psychological layers of a woman on a well-meaning revenge mission.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 May 2025
-
The movie quickly establishes itself as a revenge narrative, and each bad guy goes down in a way designed to suit the viewer’s justified bloodlust.—
Glenn Kenny,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
However, a current DOJ official, speaking to WIRED on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, defended the collection and retention of migrant DNA.—
Dhruv Mehrotra,
Wired News,
29 May 2025
-
Claims from staffers included being penalized for taking medical leave, repeated racial microaggressions and fear of retribution for raising complaints about working conditions.—
Erica Marrison,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reprisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprisal. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share