# reprisal

/ɹiˈpɹaɪzəɫ/ (US) · /ɹɪpɹˈaɪzəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reprisal
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

an act of revenge or punishment taken against someone who did something bad to you. It is a formal word for getting back at someone in a serious way.

For teachers: an act of revenge or retaliation against a perceived wrong or injury. Often used in legal or formal contexts to describe a response to a prior action.

## Examples

- The company faced a legal reprisal after the scandal.
- The local community organized a peaceful protest as a form of reprisal against the factory's pollution.
- Historians often debate whether the military's aggressive reprisal was a necessary defense or a disproportionate escalation of the conflict.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.