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Reprisal: meaning, definitions and examples

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reprisal

 

[ rɪˈpraɪzəl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in conflict

An act of retaliation or revenge for a previous action, usually in the context of a conflict or dispute. It is a form of punishment or enforcement of justice.

Synonyms

retaliation, revenge, vengeance

Examples of usage

  • His harsh words were seen as a reprisal for her criticism of his work.
  • The bombing of the city was considered a reprisal for the earlier attack on their military base.
Context #2 | Noun

international relations

In the context of international relations, it refers to a retaliatory action taken by one country against another in response to an earlier provocation or violation of international law.

Synonyms

countermeasure, reciprocal action, retaliation

Examples of usage

  • The trade sanctions were imposed as a reprisal for the violation of human rights by the foreign government.
  • The expulsion of diplomats was viewed as a reprisal for the espionage activities.

Translations

Translations of the word "reprisal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 represália

🇮🇳 प्रतिकार

🇩🇪 Vergeltung

🇮🇩 pembalasan

🇺🇦 репресія

🇵🇱 odwet

🇯🇵 報復 (ほうふく)

🇫🇷 représailles

🇪🇸 represalia

🇹🇷 misilleme

🇰🇷 보복 (報復)

🇸🇦 انتقام

🇨🇿 odplata

🇸🇰 odplata

🇨🇳 报复 (bàofù)

🇸🇮 povračilo

🇮🇸 hefnd

🇰🇿 кек алу

🇬🇪 შურისძიება

🇦🇿 intiqam

🇲🇽 represalia

Etymology

The word 'reprisal' originated from the French word 'représailles', which in turn came from the Latin word 'repraesalire', meaning 'to take back'. The concept of reprisals dates back to ancient times when it was used as a form of punishment or retaliation. Over the years, the term has evolved to encompass a broader meaning related to retaliation in conflicts and international relations.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,859, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.