reprisals
Acts of retaliation
Reprisals are retaliatory actions taken against someone who has caused harm or offense.
The term often appears in contexts of war or conflict, where one side responds to enemy attacks with counterattacks: The bombing prompted immediate reprisals.
In workplace contexts, reprisals are punitive actions against employees who report misconduct: whistleblower protections against reprisals.
The singular reprisal is less common but carries the same meaning.
Offensive response to aggression
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
- counterstrikeRetaliatory military action
vengeance · recompense · requital · countermeasure · tit for tat · eye for an eye · reciprocation · counterblow
Retaliation for injury
- wrathFierce, punishing anger
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- vindictivenessDisposition toward retaliation
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
animosity · spite · bitterness · hatred · anger · fury · malice · hostility
Inherited cycle of retribution
- vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
- cycle of violenceRecurring pattern of abuse
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- hostilitiesActive armed fighting
warfare · attack · raid · bombing · massacre · atrocity · war crimes · military action
Punitive international restrictions
- penaltiesPunishments for infractions
- punitive measuresActions imposing penalties
- disciplinary actionFormal response to violations
- justiceFair treatment under law
accountability · sentencing · condemnation · consequences · retributive justice · collective punishment · deterrent · chastisement
counterattack
Offensive response to aggression
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
counterstrike · vengeance · recompense · requital · countermeasure · tit for tat · eye for an eye · reciprocation · counterblow · avenging
vengeance
Retaliation for injury
- wrathFierce, punishing anger
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- vindictivenessDisposition toward retaliation
resentment · animosity · spite · bitterness · hatred · anger · fury · malice · hostility · ill will
blood feud
Inherited cycle of retribution
- vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
- cycle of violenceRecurring pattern of abuse
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
hostilities · warfare · attack · raid · bombing · massacre · atrocity · war crimes · military action · armed response
sanctions
Punitive international restrictions
- penaltiesPunishments for infractions
- punitive measuresActions imposing penalties
- disciplinary actionFormal response to violations
justice · accountability · sentencing · condemnation · consequences · retributive justice · collective punishment · deterrent · chastisement · corrective action
- resistanceresistance, defiance, resistance fighters, civil resistance, resist
- WWII OccupationNazi occupation, occupied territory, occupation zone, Vichy France, Vichy
- Francoist SpainFrancisco Franco, Franco, caudillo, generalissimo, dictator
- January Uprisinginsurgents, insurgent forces, insurgent leaders, national government, guerrilla warfare
- November UprisingWarsaw, insurgents, insurrection, capitulation, cadets
- War Atrocitiestorture, mass graves, summary executions, concentration camps, prisoner abuse
reprisalsforgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
pardon · mercy · clemency · amnesty · absolution
reprisalsreconciliation
Restoration of friendly relations
peacemaking · truce · ceasefire · peace · de-escalation