reprisal
A retaliatory action against an opponent
Examples
In a meeting
“The vendor's late delivery was a reprisal for our payment delay.”
Over coffee
“Posting that comment was clearly a reprisal for my criticism.”
Why this word
revenge
reprisal is retaliation for injury, especially in conflict between groups, while revenge is personal payback
retaliation
reprisal often implies organized or military counteraction, while retaliation is broader response to attack
payback
reprisal is formal retaliation especially in warfare or politics, while payback is informal revenge
Usage tip
Use to describe retaliatory actions in conflicts. Often implies a cycle of back-and-forth retaliation that escalates disputes.
Etymology
Old French 'reprisaille' (retaliation), from Italian 'ripresaglia', from 'ripreso' (taken back)
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Related words
contradict
To state the opposite or deny the truth of something
pushback
Resistance or objection to an idea or plan
appease
To pacify or satisfy someone by giving in to their demands
impasse
A deadlock where no progress is possible
conciliatory
Intended to gain goodwill or reduce hostility
defuse
To reduce the danger or tension in a situation