reprisal
C1-C2Formal
Definition
Meaning
An act of retaliation or revenge, especially one taken by a state or authority against another for a previous injury or act of aggression.
An act of retaliation, especially on a large scale, such as between nations or organized groups. Can also refer to smaller-scale, often unofficial, acts of retribution in response to perceived wrongs.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in contexts of conflict, war, crime, or organised disputes. Implies a sense of retaliation that is often official, organised, and serves as a deterrent. The act is usually a mirror of the original offence (e.g., a killing for a killing, a seizure for a seizure).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. The word is used identically in both national varieties.
Connotations
In both, it connotes a serious, often violent, retaliatory action within a cycle of conflict. It is not used for trivial personal revenge.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English media, particularly in geopolitical and military reporting, but this is a minor difference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reprisal for [noun phrase]reprisal against [noun phrase]in reprisal for [noun phrase]fear/threat/act of reprisalVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An eye for an eye (conceptual, not a direct idiom)”
- “Cycle of reprisal/violence”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically for aggressive competitive actions (e.g., 'The company feared commercial reprisals for poaching their top executive.').
Academic
Common in history, political science, and international relations to describe state actions and conflict cycles.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used primarily when discussing news about wars, terrorism, or serious crimes.
Technical
Used in international law (e.g., 'belligerent reprisal') and military/police contexts to describe sanctioned retaliatory actions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A. There is no standard verb 'to reprisal'. Use 'retaliate' or 'take reprisals'.
American English
- N/A. There is no standard verb 'to reprisal'. Use 'retaliate' or 'take reprisals'.
adverb
British English
- N/A. No established adverb. Use a phrase like 'in reprisal'.
American English
- N/A. No established adverb. Use a phrase like 'in reprisal'.
adjective
British English
- N/A. The adjective is 'reprisal' only in attributive use (e.g., 'a reprisal attack'). The form 'reprisal' does not change.
American English
- N/A. The adjective is 'reprisal' only in attributive use (e.g., 'a reprisal raid'). The form 'reprisal' does not change.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The soldiers were afraid of reprisal.
- The bombing was a reprisal for the attack on their border post.
- They did not report the crime for fear of reprisals.
- The government warned that any further incursions would be met with swift military reprisals.
- The cycle of reprisal and counter-reprisal made peace talks impossible.
- Under international law, belligerent reprisals are acts otherwise illegal but rendered permissible as a coercive response to an adversary's prior violations.
- The historian argued that the draconian reprisals only served to galvanise the resistance movement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'REPaying' with 'PRISal' (sounds like 'prison') — you repay a bad deed with a punitive act that could imprison or harm the other side.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS A CYCLE OF TRADING BLOWS. 'Reprisal' is a move in this transactional cycle of harm.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'реприза' (theatrical/musical term).
- The closest equivalent is 'акция возмездия' or 'репрессалия'. Avoid using 'ответ' or 'реакция' which are too neutral.
- The Russian 'репрессалии' is a direct cognate but is a formal, low-frequency word.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as /ˈreprɪzəl/ (wrong stress).
- Using it for minor, personal acts of revenge (e.g., 'I ate his dessert in reprisal for his comment' is too strong).
- Using it as a verb ('They reprisaled' is incorrect; the verb form is 'to take reprisals' or 'to retaliate').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'reprisal' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are close synonyms, but 'reprisal' is more formal and typically implies an organised, often official, act of retaliation (especially by a state or group), while 'revenge' can be more personal and emotionally driven.
No, 'reprisal' is only a noun. The related verb is 'retaliate'. You can use the phrase 'to take reprisals'.
A killing carried out as an act of retaliation for a previous killing or other serious offence, often as part of a feud or conflict between groups.
It is almost universally negative, describing acts of harm and retaliation that perpetuate conflict. However, in legal/military contexts, it can be described as a permissible or justified response.
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